Result: Alex Hales inspires England to Twenty20 warm-up win

Opening batsman Alex Hales scores 78 runs off 52 balls as England overcome South Africa A by a 44-run margin.

Alex Hales carried his positive recent one-day international form into the Twenty20 format of the game during England's warm-up clash against South Africa A today.

The opening batsman, who hit four fifties and a century during the 3-2 ODI series loss against the Proteas, smashed 78 runs off 52 balls in Paarl.

Alex Hales during the T20 warm-up match between South Africa A and England at Boland Park on February 17, 2016© Getty Images

Skipper Eoin Morgan was also among the runs (42 off 13) as the tourists reached 202-6 from their 20 overs.

In response, South Africa A were restricted to 158-8, thanks in part to the bowling of Reece Topley.

He ended with figures of 3-29, while David Willey and Adil Rashid also contributed two wickets apiece.

The first T20 international against the South Africans is due to be played in Cape Town on Friday.

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