Hales breaks loose

Alex Hales is six-foot five. The young England batsman was even taller at the Zohur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chittagong where his unbeaten 117, the first century of this ICC World T20, gave England an improbable six-wicket victory against Sri Lanka yesterday. Photo: Anurup Kanti Das

An Alex Hales special helped England override a disappointing performance on the field and bring an end to Sri Lanka's 12-match winning streak in Bangladesh, as they beat the group favourites by six wickets at the Zohur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium yesterday.
Although Sri Lanka remain on top, England's win has now opened up the group with all teams standing a chance to qualify.
A below-par fielding performance from England, who dropped at least four catches, led the Lankans to post a strong 189 for 4. A remarkable century from Hales -- the first of this year's ICC World T20 -- however, changed the tide with a career-best 116 off 64 balls to lead England to their target with four balls to spare.
England's chase began in the worst possible manner and seemed to complement their poor fielding effort, when Nuwan Kulasakera removed both Michael Lumb and Moeen Ali in consecutive deliveries in the first over. After that over they stood at an unthinkable 0 for 2.
However, Eoin Morgan and Hales put up a record 152-run stand -- the highest for the third wicket in T20 Internationals -- to lead England's recovery.
Hales started the attack right from ball one, smacking both Angelo Mathews and Kulasakera for two fours apiece in the second and third overs. Mathews was taken for 16 runs in the 10th over and that took England to 72 for 2 after ten.
The beauty of the partnership was the fact that neither player decided to go full throttle until the right time came. They just looked to dispatch the odd delivery for either a six or a four in each over.
The game-changing over was the 15th, when Ajantha Mendis was torn apart for three sixes and a four. Hales unleashed a variety of his slog-hits to bring the equation down to 48 off 30.
The crucial 18th over by Lasith Malinga was taken for eleven runs, and England inched closer with 23 required off 12 balls. Hales hammered two humongous sixes through covers and midwicket to bring the equation down to seven off the last six. And as though it was meant to be, he finished the game with an emphatic six over midwicket.
Earlier, Mahela Jayawardene took full advantage of some sloppy fielding from England to score a 51-ball 89. He, however, was lucky to survive a close catch-appeal and got dropped twice.
It started right from the first ball, when Mahela, edged one towards point with Lumb diving and claiming the catch. While replays did not necessarily show the ball touching the turf, the third umpire ruled against Lumb.
That was enough for Mahela to get going as he began playing a wide array of shots. To add to England's woes, he was dropped yet again, this time by Bresnan in the 15th over. Mahela hit a full toss wide off long-off and Bresnan failed to hold on to a running catch.