Big Bash League power surge adds another string to Sydney Thunder opener Alex Hales' bow

Hales has set the tone for the Thunder at the top of the order to lift them to second on the Big Bash League table as they near the business end of the season.

Now they have a golden chance to push clear of a mad scramble for finals spots when they face the Hobart Hurricanes at Manuka Oval on Monday night.

Hales has scored 323 runs at 32.3 this season and struck the ball at 161.5, bettering his BBL career average of 31.35 and strike rate of 150.5.

Now he wants to use the revamped powerplay to become an even bigger factor in the run to the finals.

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The usual six-over powerplay at the start of an innings has been split into four overs at the beginning and a floating block of two for the batting team to call in the second half of the innings.

It has forced Hales to be the aggressor even earlier in an innings in an ominous sign for opposition bowling attacks.

"I have felt in really good form. Maybe with the two fewer overs in the powerplay, I've looked to go even harder as well. That's always a bonus when it comes off," Hales said.

"It's something that's very new to me. Usually overs four to six are the ones you look to target in the powerplay as an opener, so having to attack a little earlier has been slightly different but it's something I have enjoyed and it has added a new string to my bow.

"I think it does make a difference. I've also learnt over the years as an opener you can hit the fielders a lot.

"There are times you can easily be 12 off six balls with three fours, and there are times you can be one off six and you've middled the ball to three or four fielders.

"Certainly early in my career you get a bit of a twitch on if you get off to a flyer, but now I'm a bit older, I understand that's how it works.

"Sometimes in the powerplay you get off to a flyer and sometimes you don't, and you've just got to hang in there. Your time will come."

Hales failed to score in two of his first three outings for the Thunder this summer but since then has re-emerged as one of the competition's most imposing batsmen.

But the English import believes there is room to improve as he looks to build on a pair of half-centuries and plenty of starts at a blistering pace.

"I maybe haven't scored as many big runs as I would have liked, I have scored a couple of 40s and early 50s," Hales said.

"As an opener when you get in like that, you really want to get those match-winning 70s and 80s. That's what I'll be looking to do in the next few games if I get in, try to really go big and get those match-winning scores.

"That's what you want from your overseas players. Hopefully I'll be able to do that."