England's powerful opener Alex Hales is comfortable heading into T20 World Cup, taking confidence from the knowledge that he has proven himself capable of performing in Australia thanks to his time in the BBL.
Despite issues throughout his career, Hales was recently selected to open the batting alongside Jos Buttler ahead of Phil Salt due to his reputation and record in the Big Bash League.
With a career average in the BBL of 33.16 from 1857 total runs scored, Hales has shown himself capable of playing with the best in Australian conditions. No player with over 1000 runs in the competition has a better strike rate than the explosive opener who goes at 151.34.
If recent form is anything to go by, Hales may be in for a huge tournament, after he smashed Australia for 84 off 51 balls in Perth, a promising sign given England's campaign kicks off at the same ground on Sunday.
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As can happen with such an aggressive style of play, Hales also has several single-digit scores in the lead-up to the tournament, however it doesn't appear to concern him, believing his track record proves he can bounce back at any moment.
"It is just nice knowing I have proved myself in these conditions," he said, via cricket.com.au.
"I know if things don't happen for me straight away I have the game and record to bounce back at any point in the tournament.
"My biggest thing is I just want to enjoy it. It is a chance I didn't think I would get again. I will play with a smile and hopefully perform as well."
The chance to play for England again comes after three years in the wilderness after he was dumped on the eve of the 2019 ODI World Cup. Hales had failed a second recreational drugs test and his international career looked over.
His recall has the potential to become one of the stories of the tournament, a chance at redemption for a player who has proven himself to be box office when at his best.
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England enter the tournament as one of the favourites to take out the competition and if that is to happen, a firing Alex Hales may just be the most crucial piece of the puzzle.
