NOTTS batsman Alex Hales hit a stunning century to lead England to a memorable victory over Sri Lanka and reignite the side's World Twenty20 campaign.
Hales produced a staggering innings - unbeaten on 116 from 64 balls - and finished the game in unforgettable fashion as he heaved Angelo Mathews for an enormous six to seal a six-wicket victory with four balls to spare.
It was England's first ever T20 hundred and Hales, who struck six sixes and 11 fours to reel in a target of 190, celebratated by thrusting both arms into the air and waving his bat aloft.
Having been dismissed twice in the nineties already, it was a case of finishing old business for the Nottinghamshire opener and he could not hide his delight.
"I'm absolutely buzzing with that," he said.
"Centuries in this format don't come along very often and I've got out a couple of times in the 90s so I was pleased to get over the line today.
"It's a great win for us.
"We weren't in good form coming into this match but we needed that and (I'm) buzzing for it.
"I think it was a beautiful pitch.
"The way they batted showed how good it was and after two wickets we knew if we just stayed in the game – the rate Morgy (Eoin Morgan) played was outstanding and made my job a lot easier.
"He was outstanding. The way he hit the ball for six in the middle overs made my job a hell of a lot easier."
England lost their first game of the World Twenty20 to New Zealand in controversial fashion via the Duckworth-Lewis method and Hales is now keen to look forward.
"We felt a little bit hard done by the other night," he said. "We posted a fairly good score and felt we could have defended it. But it's great to get a win on the board and hopefully there's a couple more to follow."
