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Australian cricketers tune up in Top End

By Melanie Arnost, Thursday August 9, 2012 - 10:28 EST

The Australian cricket team hopes training in the Top End will pay off after a disappointing series in England.

The team is in the Northern Territory for its annual player camp.

Australian cricket coach Mickey Arthur says the camp will prepare the team for a tour of the United Arab Emirates and the ICC World Twenty-20 championships in Sri Lanka in September.

Fast-bowler James Pattinson says he hopes it will help produce a better result for the team after the one-day series loss in England last month.

"We are trying to put that behind us now and come to this camp with a fresh mind, open mind, and try to rebuild on that disappointing series," he said.

"We are just looking towards the future now, and looking forward to a good six months.

"There is some big cricket coming up."

The team is in Darwin for a week.

The Australia and Australia A squads will train at Marrara Stadium and play limited-over matches on Sunday and Tuesday.

NT Cricket chief executive officer Andrew Ramsay says it is an opportunity to show off new facilities at the Marrara ground.

"It is very exciting," he said.

"It's great to have so many Australian players here, and they are going to have a great time.

"Marrara is looking magnificent and we have turned on the weather, so we are really looking forward to it.

"Our kids are looking forward to helping out, doing some net bowling, meeting their heroes, getting involved.

"It should be fantastic."

- ABC

© ABC 2012