We’ve stepped up our pre-season training with a week in Portugal for warm-weather outdoor practice - and Director of Cricket Mick Newell hopes it will reap dividends.

Every member of the squad is on the trip apart from overseas duo Stephen Fleming and David Hussey, plus youngster Josh Mierkalns.

Said Newell: “I think you always need to have a change of scenery and different approaches to training, which is what we’ve been trying to do all winter and during pre-season.

“Heading to Portugal means we can get some outdoor training done while working on our fielding and general fitness.

“But just as importantly, it gives us a chance to bring the whole squad together for five days and have a few meetings where we can sit down and chat about our plans and tactics for the season.”