A typically hard-hit 49 from 24 balls by Notts Outlaws’ Alex Hales helped England to victory over Australia in the one-off IT20 match at Edgbaston.
Batting at number four, the right hander hit two sixes and five boundaries to help propel England to a huge final total of 221-5, their second highest in this format.
It followed a superb opening stand of 95 in just 8.5 overs between Jason Roy (44 from 26 balls) and Jos Buttler (61 from 30), the latter hitting England’s quickest T20 50 from 22 deliveries.
Joe Root added 35 from 24 balls and Jonny Bairstow hit two sixes in a late cameo of 14 not out from eight balls as Australia’s six bowlers took a battering.
In reply, the tourists were soon in trouble at 33-2 as D’Arcy Short (16) and Glenn Maxwell (10) fell relatively early.
But a sublime knock of 84 from 41 balls, with six sixes and seven fours, kept his side in the hunt as he fought hard with Ashton Agar (29) and Andrew Tye (20).
But England picked up wickets at regular intervals to keep the scoring in check with Adil Rashid (3-27) picking up the key wicket of Finch and Chris Jordan (3-42) helping to finish off the tail.
As Australia were bowled out for 193, England won by 28 runs and now look forward to playing a one-off IT20 against India on Tuesday at Emirates Old Trafford.
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T20 returns to Trent Bridge on 4 July with a 2017 Finals Day rematch of Notts Outlaws v Birmingham Bears. Tickets are £10 in advance for adults, £7 for over-65s & under-21s and £5 for under 16s. Secure your seats now.