Men in white: Aussie cricket coach inspired by Will Smith
SYDNEY: Australia coach Justin Langer looked to movie star Will Smith for inspiration Thursday as he readied his team for a tough six months of fixtures, greatly complicated by the coronavirus pandemic.
The men’s team depart on Sunday for a limited-overs tour of England, their first cricket since March, kicking off what is likely to be a testing period.
With the coronavirus still gripping England, they will play in bio-secure hubs with their movements and contacts strictly limited.
On their return to Australia, the team will go into a 14-day quarantine, with the prospect of further biosecurity bubbles a real possibility through the home summer when they are due to host India and Afghanistan.
With border closures and coronavirus-related restrictions in Australia, and coronavirus still at large, Langer said challenges were inevitable – and he told his team to follow the lead of “Men In Black” star Smith.
“We might not be able to see our families because we need to keep the show on the road,” Langer said in a Zoom call.
“Some of our best players might have to miss some international cricket, so they can spend some time seeing families.
“It’s so complicated... we are going to need our depth,” he added, and cited a comment from a Smith interview.
“The old Will Smith saying: ‘we’ve got to stay ready so we don’t have to get ready’. Wherever it comes up, we’ll be ready.”
Australia are taking a 21-man squad to England, bigger than usual, for added flexibility as there is no chance of extra players being called into the bubble if injuries strike.
It could be similar during the blockbuster series against India with large squads in isolation, meaning fewer players are available for domestic cricket like the Big Bash League and Sheffield Shield.