LONDON (AFP) - Alex Hales' stunning 171 provided the platform for England to post the highest ever one-day international total of 444 for three as they beat Pakistan by 169 runs at Trent Bridge on Tuesday.

Victory in this day/night clash gave England an unbeatable 3-0 lead in the five-match series after Pakistan were dismissed for 275 with 44 balls to spare.

England's total surpassed the previous record of 443 for nine by Sri Lanka against the Netherlands at Amstelveen in 2006.

It was also the highest ODI total in a match between two Test nations, topping South Africa's 439 for two against the West Indies at Johannesburg last year.

In a match of records, opener Hales's innings on his Nottinghamshire home ground was the highest ever-individual ODI score by any England batsman. And together with Joe Root (85) he put on 248 for the second wicket.

Both Hales and Root fell in quick succession to leave England 283 for three in 38 overs. But an unbroken stand of 161 in 76 balls between Jos Buttler (90 not out) and captain Eoin Morgan (57 not out) ensured the runs just kept coming.

Buttler's innings featured England's quickest ever ODI fifty, off just 22 balls, and he hit seven fours and as many sixes in total during his 51-ball knock.

It seemed England would fall short of a new record but the last ball of the innings saw Buttler thrash Hasan Ali over extra-cover for four to the delight of a capacity crowd of more than 17,000.