AUSSIES ‘SHOCKED’ AFTER LONDON HOTEL LOCKDOWN

AUSTRALIA’S cricketers will have a tough job focusing on their must-win game against Bangladesh at the Oval today after the London terror attack left them “shocked and saddened”.

Their team hotel, just a short distance away from where the attacks happened in London Bridge, was put on lockdown as security chiefs made sure that everyone was accounted for.

After being briefed by their own security officer Frank Dimasi, the tournament will continue as normal for the Aussies.

“We’re shocked and saddened by what happened and you never want to see that happening around the world,” said captain Steve Smith (above).

“We have been briefed by our security team and they are comfortable with where security is at and, for us, it is just about being diligent with everything that we do and continuing the tournament as usual.

“Guys were a little bit concerned at the time and didn’t really know what to do, so Frank, our security guy, just made sure we remained in the hotel and stayed nice and safe.

“Everyone was on the phone letting their loved ones back home know that everything was OK with everyone involved in our team.” The Aussies also still have their ongoing pay row with Cricket Australia lingering, and vicecaptain David Warner reaffirmed his Ashes threat that the best players would not be available if no deal was done.

“I stick firmly behind it,” he said.