Aussie cricketers switch off, unwind with golf and BBL

MELBOURNE: The Australia team players are unwinding with golf and visits to family over the next couple of days before they resume practice on January 2 here.

The hosts lost the second Test to India in Melbourne by eight wickets after winning the first one by eight wickets in Adelaide.

The Aussies have got training on January 2 and 3 in Melbourne and then they fly to Sydney on January 4. They have two training days in Sydney before the second Test.

"Everyone does it differently. Some of the guys have families here in Melbourne. Some of the boys are flying solo. There are a few people off to golf today (Wednesday). There are pretty strict conditions here, not too many options but we will get around each other. The BBL (Big Bash League) is a meeting point for everyone to sit around and watch it in a room. Yeah we will certainly switch off from cricket. Maybe go for a walk, and grab a bite to eat or something. We are stuck a bit," said Australia vice-captain and pace bowler Pat Cummins on Wednesday.

Cummins said that the team is prepared to make sacrifices and pointed out that there are some in the team who haven't seen their families yet.

"I think everyone's prepared to do what it takes. We have the outlook that the relative freedoms we have had so far this time around has been a bonus. You look around the world, to get the tournaments going up and running, that has been a stretch. It has been hard work," he said.

Cummins added, "Upto this point, to go out for coffee or whatever, we feel quite lucky. For sure, some people are going to have it harder than others. I am lucky I got a week or so at home during the one-dayers and T20s. But we do have some guys who haven't seen their partners for 4-5 months and have been locked up in a hotel room. We will look after everyone as best as we can but the priorities are getting through the series really safely and guys are desperate to play these last two Tests whatever it takes." (IANS)

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