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Alex Hales is the most destructive overseas batsman in the Big Bash's history, and he hopes more runs can force an England return after two years on the outer.

Alex Hales wants to use the Big Bash to help push for an England return, hoping his role as the competition's most destructive overseas batsman can regain the selectors' attention.

The Sydney Thunder marquee has not played for England since reportedly testing positive to recreational drugs just months out from last year's 50-over World Cup.

England captain Eoin Morgan said earlier this year the only way Hales could return was by winning back the team's trust, a process that would take time.

But the 31-year-old, who was once the world's top-ranked Twenty20 batsman, has not given up on a return.

Still one of the best short-form players in the world, Hales has averaged 30.28 at a strike rate of 144.28 in franchise T20 cricket since being booted from England's squad.

That includes being the second leading run-scorer in the Big Bash last summer, where his 576 runs at a strike rate of 146.93 helped push the Thunder into the finals.

Asked by AAP whether he believed more performances like that could be his ticket back, Hales responded: "I think so.

"There is a lot of English guys in this tournament as well so this is a good tournament for me to try and perform well and impress the right people.

"There is some good competition here. Hopefully I can stand out and give myself the best chance possible.

"If it comes along, then great.

"At the moment I focus on winning tournaments. I played in three last year, including Big Bash, and won two of those."

Hales' latest exile followed a brief time out for his role in Ben Stokes' Bristol drama in 2017.

The hard-hitting opener said it'd been important not to dwell his national absence in recent years, while not completely putting it to the back of his mind.

"I think you have to do both," Hales said.

"You have to use something like that to try and motivate yourself to become a better player and person.

"But also not let it eat you up or else you will go mad."

Hales does arrive in Australia buoyed by his record in the country that will host the 2022 T20 World Cup.

Ahead of the Thunder's opener against the Melbourne Stars on Saturday night, he has the highest strike rate in the tournament's history for an overseas player with more than 20 innings.

And with a Thunder team Hales sees as having improved from last year with Sam Billings, Adam Milne and Ben Cutting, he can see more success ahead.

"I have always enjoyed batting here. I came here when I was 18 to play club cricket," Hales said.

"It's somewhere I have always enjoyed coming to.

"It's good true pitches, and more often than not you get value for strong cricket shots. Which is something I try and base my game around."