Adventurous lot from Down Under

Self-indulgence

With their wives and girlfriends in tow, the Aussie cricketers were seen making most of the week by scouting around the City, shopping and sightseeing.

And they did all this without disturbing their practice sessions. Metrolife finds out what the Australian cricketers have been up to during their stay in the City.

Besides shopping for clothes and jewellery, the players were busy buying movie CDs and stacking them. “They buy nothing less than 60 to 70 CDs at a time. They’re mostly action or thriller movies. I believe the CDs here are cheaper than back home for them,” said a source.

Brett Lee has been by far the most active among the lot and has explored the City the most. He is touring India with his personal cameraman. In all the cities that he is visiting, Brett moves around with his cameraman to shoot the proceedings for a short documentary film, and Bangalore is no exception. He grabs whatever little time he has to tour Bangalore and captures the same on the camera. “The cricketers also took some time off and drove  to a rural side on Hosur Road and played cricket with the students in the rural schools. They seemed to have had a great time, especially since they made the less fortunate kids happy,” added the source. More then shopping, the players, their wives and girlfriends seem to like the adventurous trips.

Cricketer Jason Krejza accompanied a group of women to the Bannerghatta National Park.

 “It was a bumpy rid though. But we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. We walked around the zoo and I must say the animals are well-fed and well-bred. It was different from what we normally do,” Jason told Metrolife. 

As far as shopping is concerned, the cricketers want to pick up anything Indian. Saris and salwar materials top their list of must buy stuff.

“Where do you get to buy a sari? I’ve heard so much about the sari that I’d like to own one for myself,” said the spouse of one of the cricketers who didn’t want to be named. She added, “I’ve always wanted to try and wrap a sari but it appears complicated. This time since I am here in India I would like to wear one.”     

The cricketers and their wives are making the best of their stay at the ITC Royal Gardenia.

Brett Lee and a few other cricketers jammed and played the guitar at the hotel’s Lotus Pavilion. “The guitars were bought from a shop near Brigade Road. Brett and his team of boys sang a few popular country songs and strummed their guitars,” said the source. 

Brett also ordered his favourite ham and pineapple pizza and paired it with an Argentinian wine. Shane Watson, Michael Clarke and Jason Kreja are regulars for Japanese food. “Most players get a deep tissue massage, pedicures and manicures at the hotel spa. They also set apart a time to gym in the morning and evening. They do treadmill, and weights are a rage with the team,” added the source.  

It’s heartening to see Brett Lee and Michael Clarke trying to communicate in Hindi every time an Indian approached them.  They greeted their fans with namaste and if the fans lingered too long for a picture, they would say jaldi jaldi.