Australia bared their hearts - and feet - as they began preparations for their World Cup semi-final against England with an extended huddle on the outfield at Edgbaston.
The squad began Monday's training session by discarding their socks and trainers, taking a walk across the playing surface and then sat for more than half-an-hour in the same state as they took it in turns
to talk to each other about their emotions ahead of the knockouts.
The move seems to come directly from the playbook of head coach Justin Langer, who last year described himself as "a bit of a hippy", who liked to spent a month a year growing out his beard and walking barefoot.
Peter Handscomb has yet to play in the tournament, having joined up as a replacement for Shaun Marsh, but is in line to face England in place of another injury victim, Usman Khawaja.
Asked for his take on the walkabout and 'bonding circle', Handscomb said: "It's just a moment to get a feel for the ground, literally.
"You do that lap and you can see all the different views from the ground and where you might be fielding and it gives you an opportunity to take it all in before it all starts on Thursday.
"(We had) an open and honest conversation and it was great that some of the guys poured their heart out there about what it meant to get to the semi-final.
"There were some really good stories: what it meant for them and their first memories of cricket growing up. It was really nice to see what playing in the finals means to this group."
The Australia cricket team has gone new age, sitting barefoot in a circle to spiritually connect with the Edgbaston turf where they will face England on Thursday for a spot in the World Cup final 🧘🙏
— News Cricket (@NewsCorpCricket) July 9, 2019
📰 via @SamLandsberger: https://t.co/8hZ1qxTZ4w#CWC19 #AUSvENG #CmonAussie
