'Trying to sink it in'

As soon as Sri Lanka posted what at that point was the second highest total of this year's ICC World Twenty20, everyone at the Zohur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, including the players themselves, knew that England had to do something extraordinary to stay alive; and going by their below-par performance on the field in the first innings and the two-wicket cushion that they so willingly provided to the Lankans; such an immense turn around seemed next to impossible.
And that's exactly when a 25-year-old from Hillingdon, yet to play a single ODI, stood up against the odds to play what was perhaps one of the best T20 innings played by an Englishman.
The affect the innings had on Hales himself was quite evident as he said during the post-match press conference that he was still trying to 'sink in the victory'.
"It's an amazing feeling. I think it still has not sunk in. I have come close before. But today was a very good wicket and I cashed in," said a calm-looking Hales, who plans to celebrate the win with a glass of red-wine back in the hotel.
With the towering asking-run rate, Hales and Eoin Morgan had to mix their aggression with caution. The gravity of the situation was as such that Hales himself did not think a win was possible until the end.
"Probably with about six to seven overs left [started to believe]. We needed 12 and a half runs an over at halfway stage and Morgy [Morgan] played well. Ravi [Bopara] came on against the dangerman [Lasith Malinga] and hit two fours against him.
"It was not the ideal start and the way Morgy came and took the game to them, it made my job easier and we built a good partnership and stuck to our game plan," said Hales.
What perhaps was even more astounding was the way Hales and Morgan turned the momentum towards England after such a lacklustre performance on the field. It brought to focus the mental strength of the players.
"I don't think we had a choice. We had to move on. You don't have much time in this format. But we knew the conditions would be tough for them as well. And as I said it was a great wicket," explained a modest Hales.
The batsman hopes that the win gives them the necessary boost for a place in the semis.
"I think it will be massive for us. This win will boost us for the next couple of games. We have to beat Holland and South Africa. We can do well in the next couple of games," said Hales.