Alex did not know he’d set a new best!

ALEX HALES admitted he was not aware he had made the highest score in England’s one-day history during the record-breaking victory over Pakistan. When Hales reached 171 he went past Robin Smith’s high of 167 that had stood for 23 years. England then surpassed their previous best one-day score of 408 to amass a world record 444 en route to a 169-run victory. ‘I knew I was getting close because Jason Roy got near to it at the Oval earlier this season but I didn’t know for sure until I heard it on the Tannoy,’ said Hales after an extraordinary day at Trent Bridge. ‘It was a very special feeling.’ Hales has had a difficult month after failing to make a decent score in the Tests series against Pakistan and in the first two one-day internationals. He was fined for confronting the TV umpire after his controversial final Test dismissal. ‘It’s been a tough time for me,’ said Hales. ‘I haven’t felt particularly out of form with the white ball and I was confident going into this series but now we’ve got to be ruthless and go for 5-0.’ England captain Eoin Morgan hailed a ‘remarkable’ innings from the opener. ‘It was a monumental knock on his home ground,’ said Morgan. ‘To make a score of 171 in any form of cricket is remarkable and he played a huge part in setting up the day for us. Alex has kept a great attitude and he’s come back really well. Records are hugely important and this emphasises that we’re not just a chasing side. We’ve got 17 or 18 players who could come into this side.’ Former England captain Michael Vaughan led the plaudits on social media, tweeting: ‘444 reasons why this is England’s best ever group of One Day Cricketers.’ Injured England bowler Steven Finn posted: ‘That is ridiculous from our guys. Watching with my mouth open!’