The Australian cricket team today stepped up preparations for the upcoming Twenty20 World Cup in the West Indies.

The side trained at Allan Border Field today and will fly out for the Caribbean tomorrow.

Nicholas Bolton reports.

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TRANSCRIPT

The sunshine returned to Brisbane today, allowing the Aussies to move their training base to Cricket Australia’s Centre of Excellence at Albion.

Although the coach believes their stint inside had served its purpose.

Tim Nielsen, Australian Coach: “We had a good couple of days in the indoor centre at the Gabba which was good for us actually to get back into the the swing of things and let the guys do some I suppose some good quantity and some good volume work.”

With some players short on match fitness, squad members currently playing in the Indian Premier League will be expected to lead from the front.

Tim Nielsen, Australian Coach: “You know we’d like to think that the Hussey’s of the world, both Hussey’s, and Cameron White, Davey Warner will play a bigger role for us, Dirk Nannes as well you know in this tournament.”

Australia made a shock early exit from last year’s event, and according to the players it’s this unpredictably that attracts the fans.

Brad Haddin, Australian Wicketkeeper: “Because it’s such a short form of the game, any team on any day only needs a couple of player to go off and you can be in the contest.”

He says despite the perception that Twenty20 is all about the extravagant shots, the fundamentals of batting remain the key.

Brad Haddin, Australian Wicketkeeper: “And I can only talk as I said from a personal point of view, if I try to get too funky with what I’m trying to do, it’s only going to be my downfall.”

With their departure previously in doubt due to the volcanic eruptions in Iceland , the team will now leave for the West Indies tomorrow afternoon.

The tournament begins next Friday, with the final on May 16.

Australia will play defending champions Pakistan in their opening match.

Nicholas Bolton, QUT News