Cricket: Hales fails but England on top

Potchefstroom, South Africa: Alex Hales, earmarked as England's opening batsman for the first Test against South Africa, failed for the second time but his teammates took control on the second day of a three-day tour match against a South African Invitation team at Senwes Park on Wednesday.[caption id="attachment_2245484" align="alignleft" width="380"] Alex Hales. AP[/caption]England took a commanding first innings lead of 282 runs when they bowled out the Invitation team for 188. They stretched the lead to 381 when they reached 99 for three in their second innings by the close of play.The only disappointment for the tourists was that Hales was bowled for eight by fast bowler Junior Dala. He was dismissed for the same score by the same bowler in the first innings.Hales faced only ten balls in the first innings but had a longer stay at the crease on Wednesday, batting for just under an hour and facing 42 deliveries before Dala got through his defences again.Hales will have another opportunity to find form against South Africa A next week before the first Test starts in Durban on December 26.The gap in class between the English side and their semi-professional opponents was obvious as the Invitation XI failed to put together any significant partnerships until Qaasim Adams (34) and wicketkeeper Heinrich Klaasen (48) put on 62 for the sixth wicket.Fast bowler Stuart Broad took three for 18, dismissing Invitation team captain Aiden Markram for a duck in the first over and following up with the wicket of Luthando Mnyanda as the home side slumped to 43 for three. He came back to take the last wicket when Thandolwethu Mnyaka was caught behind.England declared on their overnight total of 470 for seven after the scorecard had been amended to reflect that centurions James Taylor and Ben Stokes were retired out, instead of retired not out as recorded initially. It was a technicality, however, as the match does not have first-class status. Both teams can draw from 13 players.AFP