ICC Cricket World Cup 2019: Australian Team include a Bizarre Routine in their Training

The Australian team had a notably odd moment during their training session ahead of the ICC Cricket World Cup semi-finals. All the team members were seen walking barefoot on the Edgbaston pitch, where the clash against England is scheduled.

The defending champions began their training session be removing their socks and shoes and they took a stroll around.

Australian captain Aaron Finch tough, did not feel it as very unusual and said they had done a little bit. “We have done it a little bit. Maybe just, there’s a few more cameras here covering the World Cup semi-final than usual,” he said.

Finch said that the idea to walk barefoot on the pitch was that of the coach Justin Langer’s. “It was JL’s(Justin Langer’s) idea. He is quite spiritual, as most people know,” Finch said. He also said that the walk felt nice and should be tried.

Australia head coach, Justin Langer, had last year described himself as “a bit of a hippy”, spending a month growing out his beard and walking barefoot.

Australia, in their hunt to get their sixth World Cup title and second in a row, have been struck by injuries lately. Peter Handscomb came in to replace the injured Usman Khwaja while there are concerns over Marcus Stoinis’s fitness. But Australia look in good shape with Mitchell Starc in red hot form in this World Cup. He has picked up 26 wickets in the nine matches played so far. The batting also looks good with both the openers, David Warner and Aaron Finch among the highest run scorers in the World Cup. Australia, though, have a tough opponent in the form of England who perhaps have the most destructive batting line-up in the world. The selection of Jofra Archer has also made their bowling stronger and he along with Mark Wood will be difficult to face if the conditions are overcast.