GERRARDS Cross CC is acquiring a reputation as a finishing school for would-be international cricketers.

Andrew Strauss is probably the most famous name to pass through Dukes Lane, and now the club can bask in the reflected glory of Alex Hales.

The explosive batsman bludgeoned his name into the record books with England’s highest ever Twenty20 score against the West Indies on Sunday.

His 99 came off 68 balls, included six fours and four sixes, and beat England’s previous T20 record set by Eoin Morgan by 14 runs.

He said: “I am not going to lie – I'm devastated to miss out on a hundred.

"He bowled the ball exactly where I wanted him to, I just missed it.

“So it’s mixed emotions. I am also disappointed not to see the team over the line, though I am happy the guys managed to do so at the end.”

His startling innings did steer England to a seven-wicket victory though, and with Kevin Pietersen retired and the World Twenty20 coming up in Sri Lanka in September, his swashbuckling knock in Pietersen’s spot at the top of the order will be difficult for the selecters to ignore.

He said: “Possibly, but at the end of the day I am very different to Kevin Pietersen.

“It’s an opportunity and I'm happy with the way I played but there's still a lot of cricket this season for Notts and hopefully I can keep myself in the frame for the next few games.

“I had to come out and do as well here as I have done for Notts. I back myself and hope it pays off. Today it did.

“But I am not resting on my laurels - I still have to put in the performances for Notts, and hope that I get a chance for England.”