Published By: Sanchari Das

On This Day (Aug. 30): Alex Hales' 171 Powers England to Record-Breaking 444/3 Against Pakistan

Alex Hales was the chief tormentor for Pakistan, who smashed a stunning 171 off 122 balls // Picture Courtesy – Cricket Australia 

On this day in 2016, England's explosive batting ability was displayed at Trent Bridge as they defeated Pakistan with a record-breaking 444/3. Under the leadership of Eoin Morgan, they destroyed Sri Lanka's 2006 record of 443/9. Until 2018, when they exceeded it with 481/6 against Australia, England's 444 was the highest ODI total. When England scored an incredible 498/8 against the Netherlands in 2022, they smashed the record again, pushing ODI cricket to new heights. 

The chief tormentor

Alex Hales was the chief tormentor for Pakistan, who smashed a stunning 171 at the time, England's highest individual ODI score, now standing as the third-highest. England's innings were a boundary bonanza, with an astonishing 43 fours and 16 sixes

Near-record and no-balls

From the start, it was clear it wouldn't be Pakistan's day—or night. Mohammad Nawaz misjudged a ball at the square-leg boundary as England began their innings, and Babar Azam let a drive from Alex Hales slip through his legs at extra cover for four. 

Wahab Riaz narrowly avoided the record for the most expensive spell ever with 0 for 110. He also faced the frustration of no-balls, with two of his wickets being chalked off by the third umpire. Wahab thought he had Hales caught for 72 and Buttler out for 78, only to be met with the umpire's horizontal arm signalling no-balls.

Alex Hales swings hard on his way to a majestic hundred // Picture Courtesy -- The Guardian

Trent Bridge turns into a boundary-fest.

Hales started nervously, and his first six came from a free hit off Hasan Ali's no-ball. Hales made the most of it. Azhar's experiment with his slow leg breaks went for 20 runs in an over. By the 25th over, Hales had his fourth ODI century, celebrating with a vigorous punch that nearly toppled him. 

He then unleashed a barrage of boundaries, with the ball flying around Trent Bridge like a pinball. Playing a supportive yet understated role, Joe Root contributed a smooth 85 off 86 balls, extending his five consecutive half-centuries in ODIs.

Eoin Morgan and Jos Buttler walk off after their record-breaking partnership // Picture Courtesy -- ESPN Cricinfo

A footnote in a record-breaking inning

Hales and Root fell within seven balls, their record-breaking 248-run partnership ending. Despite their departure, the innings continued to flourish. Jos Buttler, returning after seven, looked rusty at first. 

He survived two close LBW calls and, after 22 balls, had scored 53 runs. He finished unbeaten on 90 of 51 balls, including 21 dot balls. Buttler unleashed a fierce attack on the Pakistan spinners, with Mohammed Nawaz, who had bowled well, conceding 20 runs in his final over thanks to Buttler and Eoin Morgan's onslaught.

Buttler unleashed a torrent, hitting four sixes in an over off Shoaib Malik. From the stands, one could anticipate that each length ball from the off-spinner would be dispatched for six, often from the middle of Buttler's bat. As the innings progressed, Morgan's hitting was equally explosive. Though his 57 from 27 balls would have been the headline on another day, it merely became a footnote in this record-breaking spectacle.

Pakistan's chase

Pakistan was bowled out for 275, unable to get their batters settled against a relentless England attack. Sharjeel Khan fought hard for half a century but lacked support. Mohammad Amir also showed his batting prowess with 58 off 28 balls, though it was too little, too late. Sharjeel made a mark with powerful leg-side shots, hitting a 95-mph delivery from Mark Wood for four. 

Ben Stokes makes a triumphant return, dismissing Babar Azam in his first spell back // Picture Courtesy – Reuters 

He scored 58 off 30 balls, but only Yasir Shah and Amir provided late resistance, adding a spirited 76 for the last wicket after Buttler's dropped catch. Amir's 22-ball half-century further impacted Adil Rashid's figures. Ben Stokes, back as an all-rounder, had a rare economical four-over spell, a small consolation as he missed out on batting in the run-fest.