Stars leaving no stone unturned pre-Ashes

Australia's top female cricketers are leaving no stone unturned in their mission to win back the women's Ashes for the first time since 2011.

The Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars, along with new coach Matthew Mott, took their preparations to another level earlier this month when they headed into the Gold Coast hinterland for a four-day camp aimed at fostering team spirit.

Gruelling hikes, ropes courses, underwater running and outrigging were among the challenges as the Southern Stars were put through their paces.

Former Australia coach John Buchanan famously put the men's team through a similar outback Queensland 'boot camp' experience ahead of the 2006-07 Ashes. It may not have impressed Shane Warne at the time but it got results – a stronger, closer, more united team went on to record the first Ashes whitewash in 86 years.

Fast bowler Holly Ferling said the Southern Stars had a similar experience that had brought the team closer together.

"We weren't told too much about where we were going or what we might be doing," Ferling said.

"It was a bit of a test for all of us, especially for the girls who haven't camped before. But it was a great camp to bring everyone together and we're now fully focussed on what's to come with the Ashes."

Image Id: ~/media/AB07A5FF213F48B8A84B86F42E02E8DASouthern Stars players on the ropes course

The 19-year-old quick, who is looking forward to returning to Australian colours after missing last year's series against Pakistan and the West Indies through injury, said it was a different team bonding experience to any she had previously experienced with the Stars.

"To have four days dedicated to being around each other as a team away from cricket was really useful. We learnt something about ourselves and about everyone around us.

"It's going to help us out in the Ashes."

Sleeping in tents and rising with the sun, the Stars climbed Mt Cougal and tackled the challenging Coomera Falls circuit trail.

Queensland allrounder Jess Jonassen said while the physical tasks were demanding, the hardest part came as a surprise.

"We did a couple of hikes, including one straight up a mountain cliff and another 20km hike towards the end, but I think the most challenging part was being rationed on food," Jonassen said.

"I think a few of the girls struggled a bit – I know I did – with not having your normal diet and still having to do physical activity.

"That was quite hard, but it was really enjoyable at the same time."

Image Id: ~/media/31286D3E3718410F8854C048D2276C91All smiles during the Stars' 20km hike

The benefits of the camp are already being felt by fast bowler Rene Farrell.

The 28-year-old right-armer, who is back training after missing the end of the Women's National Cricket League season with a broken thumb, said it had been an eye-opening experience.

"Camping is not one of my strong points, but I found out a bit about myself," Farrell said.

"I was on the cross trainer the other day and I was ready to give up after 20 minutes. But I thought, 'If you can walk 20km, you can do an extra 20 minutes on the cross trainer'.

"So it's been good to put myself out of my comfort zone, it's given me a bit more motivation to push myself with training."

The camaraderie binding the Southern Stars will be crucial when they face one of their biggest challenges in recent times in July, tackling England on their home turf after losing the past two Ashes series.

Two years ago, the Stars lost 12-4 in the British Isles, before a 10-8 defeat to England at home six months later during the 2013-14 series. The Women's Ashes works on a points system – this year a Test match victory will be worth four points with two points on offer in each of the limited-overs games.

"I think now we've grown a bit more as a team," Farrell said.

"As a group we get along very well, we respect each other on and off the field.

"We've got everything we need on field but I think how you gel off-field is important as well and I think we have that covered."

Image Id: ~/media/4031504B86764AB39F2D87C92AEA4784Southern Stars players hit the water 

Next on the agenda for the Stars is a more conventional training camp at the Bupa National Cricket Centre this weekend.

Wicketkeeper Alyssa Healy said the players would use the camp to identify which areas needed to be worked on leading up to the Ashes.

"We'll have plenty of time at the NCC before we go to fine tune things," Healy said.

"The batters will have a hit on the turf wickets; the bowlers will have a really good hit out off their long runs.

"It will be really good starting point for the group in terms of skills training, to see what we need to work on from there."

The Southern Stars head to England in mid-July, ahead of the first ODI in Taunton on July 21.