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Shorter powerplay sparks Hales' hitting

Scott BaileyAAP
A change to the BBL's power surge rules has ignited batsman Alex Hales.
Camera IconA change to the BBL's power surge rules has ignited batsman Alex Hales.

Sydney Thunder star Alex Hales claims the Big Bash's power surge has sparked his destructive hitting at the top of the order this summer.

Hales is the BBL's second-leading run scorer with 323 at an average of 32.3, but his strike-rate is even more impressive at 161.5.

The English opener has hit the most sixes in the competition with 17, and has also plundered the most boundaries overall.

Hales admits he had reservations over the power surge when it was first introduced, which sees the early field restrictions in the powerplay cut from six overs to four.

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Having the field spread out two overs earlier has generally made life tougher for openers, who traditionally have had time to settle in before attacking.

But while Hales had back-to-back ducks early in his campaign, he can now see the upside of the rule and the way it has changed his approach.

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"Back before the surge I'd always look to try and get settled in overs one, two and three and look to really attack overs four to six," Hales told AAP.

"It's definitely made me have to look to attack slightly earlier on in the innings. Sometimes it's worked out and sometimes it hasn't.

"But I guess it will make me a better player learning to attack earlier in my innings.

"I think I've added another string to the bone for sure."

Hales has been a big part of the Thunder's rise to second on the ladde in his second season at the club after previously working with coach Shane Bond at Mumbai Indians.

He hopes this stint will help him long-term.

He hasn't played for England since off-field issues cost him his spot in 2019 and said before the BBL he hoped a strong summer would help his cause.

Former England captain Michael Vaughan has been among those to notice, claiming Hales deserved another chance after watching his 54 from 33 against the Sixers on Wednesday night.

Regardless, Hales does believe his new-found confidence of going harder earlier can translate to future T20 games, where the opening power play remains six overs.

"I've been doing this now for 15 or 16 matches, it will probably just become a habit," Hales said ahead of his clash with former club Hobart on Monday night.

"It might make me go harder a little bit earlier and I'll still have those overs five to six as well.

"I don't think playing this power surge is going to do any harm to my game at all. It may be an added bonus."

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