Hales Fires England to Twenty20 Victory Over Australia

Alex Hales was the star of the show as England beat Australia by 27 runs to draw their Twenty20 series 1-1.

The England opener smashed 94 off just 61 balls as the home side posted an impressive 195-5, with Fawah Ahmed the pick of the Australia bowlers as he claimed 3-25.

Australia never looked like getting near the England total despite a fantastic innings from David Warner who impressed with 52 off 43 balls.

Jade Dernbach once again impressed for Stuart Broad's side as he claimed 3-23 from his four overs, just days after recording figures of 3-34 when Aaron Finch hit an incredible 156 in Australia's 39 run victory.

It was an impressive response from England who got off to the perfect start as Hales and fellow Hampshire opener Michael Lumb put on 11 for the first wicket.

Lumb would eventually fall to Ahmed, before Luke Wright (30) and Eoin Morgan (20) ensured that England remained on top as they looked to post another big score.

Australia responded well at the death with Hales, Jos Buttler and Morgan all falling within seven balls.

Hales fell six short of a first elusive century when he hit James Faulkner to long-on, while Ahmed removed Buttler and Morgan.

Broad got the prized wicket of Finch in the second over and then Morgan produced a superb run-out of Shane Watson to leave the tourists struggling at 15-2.

Warner would smash three sixes and five fours to keep Australia in contention but when he fell to Dernbach it caused a run of wickets.

Hampshire spinner Danny Briggs would remove George Bailey and Matthew Wade, before Dernbach return to dismiss Glenn Maxwell for 27 and Faulkner for a duck off the very next ball.

England will now play a one-day international against Ireland in Dublin on Tuesday before facing Australia in a five-match one-day series which begins at Headingley on Friday.