Pakistani, Aussie players have tools to fight UAE heat

By Bipin Dani

MUMBAI (TheSportsNext) July 25, 2012: Australian players will do "everything possible" to keep themselves cool during the forthcoming home series against Pakistan in the summer heat of the UAE.

"I have liaised with Mr. Alex Kountouris, the Australian team physiotherapist, who confirms the standard processes we use to manage hydration when we regularly play cricket in hot weather, including here in Australia, will be used in the UAE.

For example, we will be using ice baths, and pre-cooling strategies such as iced drinks, electrolyte drinks such as Gatorade, and the measurement of hydration status with analysis of body weight and urine analysis", Peter Young, the General Manager (Public Affairs) said from Melbourne.

Cricket Australia has accepted the itinerary of three One Day Internationals and three Twenty20 International matches and also UAE as the neutral venue for the series in August and September this year.

The ODI matches are scheduled to begin at 6 pm and end at 1.45 am local time the next day.

A few Cricket Australia (CA) officials, including their team manager visited all three venues in the UAE last week, Dilawar Mani and Mazhar Khan, the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) officials confirmed.

"Apparently they were satisfied with the arrangements. Members of both Pakistan and Australian teams will use different equipments like ice baths, ice-vests etc. to beat heat", the officials said. The PCB was represented by Usman Wallah, the PCB official for International cricket.

Interestingly, Paul Marsh, the Australian Cricketers' Association (ACA) chief had not accompanied on this short inspection trip.

It may be recalled here that Paul Marsh had initially expressed concern over playing in UAE in summer and also at odd hours.