Lawson, Smith embrace training

Fine weather since the team’s arrival late last week, has allowed head coach Bennett King and strength and conditioning coordinator Bryce Cavanagh to drill the players with taxing physical exercises at the Allan Border Field designed to get them battle ready for the world’s best team.

Lawson and Smith admitted that the sessions are challenging but necessary for improvement.

"The training has been tough but I’m still fighting through it and I’ve come through and I think it will pay off in the end," a smiling Lawson said after returning to the team hotel.

"After coming back from surgery I’m looking to get my rhythm together and get comfortable bowling again and I am looking forward to getting a lot of wickets," the speedster said.

Asked about his goals for the series, Lawson concentrated his answer on the team goal. "My main goal is to do whatever is needed of me to ensure that we win this series and obviously a major part of that would be to bowl with pace and aggression," Lawson said while noting that though the team is a young one overall, it is still capable of conquering Australia in the three-Test series.

"I’ve enjoyed being here so far, at the moment the weather here in Brisbane is very much like that back in the Caribbean, so that has been good for us in terms of us acclimatising," Lawson said of the steamy conditions.

Smith’s comments mirrored those of Lawson.

"I found the sessions so far tough, I would even say ‘very tough’ but in the end it is worthwhile because it is about getting our fitness levels up to an international standard," said the 24-year-old who celebrated his birthday on Friday last. "I enjoy the batting in the nets though and I know my role at the top of the order is very important to give us a solid start and I can only do that by staying at the crease and scoring runs," Smith said. "So my personal goal is to get at least two centuries and two half centuries and get a total of at least 300 runs for the series to help ensure that the other batsmen in the middle have a foundation to build on and in the end to set us up to win the series," Smith continued.