Hales shines in England victory

Alex Hales’ 94 provided the platform for England’s 27-run win against Australia in the second Twenty20 international on Saturday as the two-match series ended all square at 1-1.

Australia, set 196 for victory, finished on 168 for nine at Chester-le-Street with opener Aaron Finch -- who made a T20 international record 156 in the tourists’ 39-run win at Southampton on Thursday -- out for just five.

David Warner top-scored for Australia with 53 but they were rarely up with the rate as seamer Jade Dernbach took three wickets for 23 runs in his maximum permitted four overs.

Earlier, opening batsman Hales just failed again to become the first England batsman to score a Twenty20 international hundred as he took the hosts to 195 for five.