Hales sees England home

Alex Hales' 95 helped England U19 beat Middlesex Second XI

Alex Hales fell just five runs short of a century as England Under-19 cruised to a five-wicket win over Middlesex Second XI at Radlett.

The Nottinghamshire batsman came to the wicket with just ten runs on the board as England replied to Middlesex’s 218 for nine.

He put on 84 with Yorkshire’s Christopher Allinson before joining forces with Glamorgan’s Tom Maynard and the pair saw England to the brink of victory.

Hales reached 95 at almost a run a ball, including 12 fours and two sixes, before he was eventually bowled by Chris Peploe after an 89 run stand. Maynard fell soon after for 61 but England were virtually home by then.

Earlier in the day James Lee continued his fine form with the ball by taking 10-2-33-3 to restrict the Middlesex batsmen. Just 24 hours earlier he claimed four victims against the same opposition but could not prevent a five-wicket defeat.

Lee was given excellent support by Warwickshire’s Chris Woakes, who finished with 10-0-34-3, while Liam Dawson of Hampshire chipped in with two wickets.

Kabir Toor was Middlesex’s top scorer with 64 from 119 deliveries but the innings was given some much needed impetus by Dan Housego, Ireland international Eoin Morgan and Shaun Levy.

England will play Middlesex in the last of three one-day games on Friday.

Scorecard - Middlesex Second XI v England Under-19, April 16 2008 (34 KB)