Openers won’t let the love thaw

DAVID Warner and Cameron Bancroft have taken bonding sessions to Arctic extremes as Australia’s new-look opening partnership sets out to conquer the WACA furnace and clinch the Ashes.

Few experiences could bring two blokes closer together than stepping into an icecold chamber together at -110C wearing nothing more than shorts, socks and mittens.

Inspired by the union formed by Justin Langer and Matthew Hayden at the top of the order, Warner (pictured) and Bancroft spent a week in a freezer in Adelaide nurturing their relationship.

The pair made three visits to a health and fitness centre called Minus 110 Mind and Body, which specialises in Cryotherapy, where clients spend three minutes locked in a box that would make Eskimos shiver.

In the first Test of this series Warner and Bancroft put on a powerful unbeaten stand to march Australia to a commanding 10-wicket victory.