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Hard-hitting Sydney Thunder opener Alex Hales still doesn't know if he's already battled COVID-19, but it's made him appreciate hotel quarantine to play BBL.
Alex Hales understands as well as anyone why the Big Bash's overseas stars had to spend two weeks staring at blank walls, still unsure if the illness that left him "knackered" was COVID-19.
One of the BBL's biggest stumbling blocks will end this weekend, when four England imports check out of hotel quarantine free to play in the competition.
Liam Livingstone, Jason Roy, Liam Gregory and Sam Billings at one stage appeared in doubt for the BBL, given the challenges the England's national squad faced in South Africa where the ODI series was cancelled amid coronavirus fears in their bubble.
Countryman Hales served his own quarantine in a Perth hotel earlier and has been able to play every game for the Sydney Thunder given he is no longer in the English national set up.
The 31-year-old describes it as "tough two weeks", with only a dartboard and work-out gear to keep him occupied.
But given he still doesn't know for certain if he contracted the virus nine months ago, Hales knows playing it safe is best.
The English opener is thought to have caught the virus while playing in the Pakistan Super League in March, and experienced all the symptoms on return to England.
"I had the symptoms quite badly, but at the time you couldn't get the test unless you were in hospital," Hales told AAP.
"Because England and the UK didn't have any tests really. And I didn't have to go to hospital.
"So the answer is, I don't know if I had it.
"I had the smell and taste symptoms for about a month. But at the time it wasn't a recognised symptom. So I thought there was something wrong with me.
"That lasted about a month, but the main symptoms lasted about five or seven days."
Hales said he was left "knackered" by the onset of the illness, but did not have any long-term side effects.
It has however made him more appreciative of Australia's efforts to contain the spread of the virus.
Around 15 overseas players have passed through hotel quarantine since planning for the BBL, while several more are still waiting to play.
Coaches will have to decide when to wheel out the English quartet.
The Thunder's Billings could theoretically be the first to play against the Melbourne Renegades on Boxing Day, however none have trained while in quarantine.
"It was harder than anything I have ever done," Hales said.
"No windows, no leaving your room or anything. It was a tough couple of weeks. But that's what you have to do over here.
"I did a little bit of reading, some Netflix. I have a portable dart board I take everywhere and played a few hours a day.
"I tried to do at least a work out each day to keep myself ticking over."
