Alex Hales’ purple patch of form continued on Tuesday as he scored 65 in England’s One Day International defeat against South Africa in Centurion.

The former Chesham Grammar School Student scored his knock from 73 deliveries and helped set England on their way to a total of 318 for eight from their 50 overs.

His efforts at the top of the order were ably supported by Joe Root (125) and Ben Stokes (53) which left England in a decent position heading into South Africa’s innings.

However, the hosts soon set about chasing down that target as Hashim Amla and Quinton De Kock scored 127 and 135 respectively to produce a partnership of 239, the Proteas fifth highest in ODIs.

It put the tourists on the back foot, and they could not recover as South Africa took a seven wicket win with 22 balls to spare. The series is now finely poised at 2-1 with two matches yet to be played.

Hales’ knock made it three matches in a row in which he has posted a score of fifty plus and he was England’s standout batsman three days earlier during the third ODI between the two sides.

He came agonisingly close to recording his second century in the shortened format of the game as he fell to Kyle Abbott for 99.

Despite missing out on the personal accolade, Hales’ innings underpinned a successful run chase for England as they won by five wickets with more than three overs remaining.

The Nottinghamshire man will look to carry his fine form into the fourth ODI in the series which takes place in Cape Town today.

An England victory would see them establish an unassailable lead and complete a successful tour, which has already seen them win a four match test series, on a high.

Hales' strong run of form has also seen him be included in the squad for the 20/20 World Cup, which starts in India next month.