Aussies prepare for NZ at 'mystery camp'

Armed with a packing list and a destination – and little else – Australia's best cricketers have taken their preparations for this month’s Women’s T20 International series against New Zealand to the northern New South Wales coast.

The Australian contracted players converged on the town of Wooli on Monday for what has been labelled a ‘mystery camp’: a four-day team bonding exercise aimed at building camaraderie before their attention returns to on-field matters later in the week.

Spearhead Megan Schutt told cricket.com.au she wasn’t sure what to expect from the camp – aside from the unexpected.

“They’re leaving it a surprise package for us,” Schutt told cricket.com.au late last week. “They know we hate the unexpected, so it’s going to be a nice little battle.

“We know we’re off-site for few nights and that’s all we know.

“We’ve been given list of things to pack and as long as we have them, we’ll be okay apparently, but otherwise they’re leaving it up to our imagination.”

The off-site camp is the first time the contracted players have all come together since July. Later in the week, they’ll head to the Gold Coast for a series of practice matches before the selection committee meets to decide the final squad to meet New Zealand in the three-match T20 series starting later this month.

After a successful tour of India in March, which saw Australia whitewash the hosts in the ODIs before defeating England in the T20 tri-series final, Schutt can’t wait to be reunited with her teammates.

“That India tour, for me, was the best time we’ve ever had together as a team,” Schutt said. “We gelled better than we ever have, it was a really enjoyable tour.

“Obviously winning helps that, but there was something about that tour that just brought us together and we’re in really good stead now.”

The Australian squad will be spending plenty of time in each other’s company in the coming months. The three T20Is against New Zealand will be followed by an away tour against Pakistan in October, before the team flies directly to the Caribbean for November’s World T20.

“I’m excited to spend that much time with my teammates … I do miss them when I’m not with them. I don’t know if it’s reciprocated but I hope so,” Schutt laughed.

The T20 series against the White Ferns begins with a blockbuster Saturday night match at North Sydney Oval on September 29, immediately following the Australian Football League grand final, before games at Brisbane’s AB Field (October 1) and Canberra’s Manuka Oval (October 5).

“It’s scary how fast that’s approached,” Schutt said. “We’re into the AFL finals now and that makes you click and go, ‘we’re less than four weeks away now’.

“I’m pretty nervous to be honest – it (grand final day) is one of the biggest days in the calendar … but it’s exciting.

“The Kiwis are always a good match and I love North Sydney Oval, it’s where I debuted, so I can’t wait to get back there.”

CommBank T20 INTLs v NZ 

September 29: First T20I, North Sydney Oval, Sydney

October 1: Second T20I, Allan Border Field, Brisbane

October 5: Third T20I, Manuka Oval, Canberra