3 minute read
Australian T20 allrounder Ashton Turner says quarantine has allowed for mental freshness before the five-match series against New Zealand.
Australia's T20 side will begin training on Thursday after all touring party members produced negative tests for COVID-19 while in quarantine.
The Aaron Finch-led squad are in Christchurch in the lead-up to the five-game series beginning on February 22.
Under a negotiated agreement with New Zealand health authorities, players have been granted training privileges to allow them to prepare for the series.
On Thursday, they will exit their hotel rooms for the first time since arriving on Sunday with a gym session.
Allrounder Ashton Turner said the negative tests were a relief.
"We've been in proper lockdown for first four days. We haven't been able to do much at all," the West Australian said.
"We're fortunate now that all of our COVID swabs have come back negative.
"We'll do some cricket training tomorrow as a group and that'll be the first real time that I'll be able to see the rest of the guys."
The previous two touring sides to New Zealand - West Indies and Pakistan - both had their training privileges revoked due to protocol breaches.
Turner said the four days in isolation did have its benefits "after a busy couple of months", though he was pleased to be out.
"Physically and mentally, the Big Bash has been all consuming," he said.
"I've enjoyed a couple of days just to be by myself, enjoying company a little bit."