World Twenty20: Alex Hales' heroics helps England beat Sri Lanka

England's Jade Dernbach gave England a great start as he dismissed Sri Lankan opener Kusal Perera in the second over. (All images AFP)

There was early controversy as there was a dubious call from the third umpire. A leading edge off Mahela Jayawardene's bat went to Michael Lumb. The umpires went up and after lot of replays, the third umpire ruled in the batsmen's favour.

Dernbach was absolutely flummoxed at the decision and had a few words with the on-field umpire. He needed skipper Stuart Broad to intervene and let the game move on.

Riding on his lucky survival due to a dubious decision and a couple of dropped catches, Mahela Jayawardene led Sri Lanka's charge.

Jayawardene had Tillakaratne Dilshan for company who notched up his ninth T20I fifty.

Dilshan (55) and Jayawardene (89) added 145 runs for the second wicket as Sri Lanka posted 189/4 in 20 overs.

In reply, England had the worst possible start as Michael Lumb was cleaned up by Nuwan Kulasekara for a duck.

Nuwan Kulasekara was on fire as he removed two in two as Moeen Ali walked back for a first-ball duck.

Alex Hales and Eoin Morgan began England's resurrection in a steep run-chase. They added 152 runs for the third wicket to keep England alive in the contest.

Alex Hales steered England's innings with a flurry of fours and sixes.

Morgan fell for 57, giving Sri Lanka faint hopes of making a comeback. But those were soon quashed by a marauding Hales and Ravi Bopara.

Alex Hales soon slammed his 1st T20I ton and the first of the tournament in 60 deliveries.

With his sixth six of his innings, Hales guided England past the Sri Lankan total with six wickets in hand and four balls to spare.