Aussie traits blend in Shaun Tait

Barbados: As Ricky Ponting's team mercilessly moves towards its third straight World Cup, very little seems to be standing in the way.

Besides their abundant talent on the cricket field, the squad have been showing off their gift of the gab every time they get an opportunity to.

While Andrew Symonds soaked in some local flavour off the field, he isn't very happy with what he's experienced on it so far.

"I have been disappointed with the fact that they can't bring their musical instruments in and make a real Caribbean twist to it. I think that's what all the supporters wanted to see and definitely myself and the young players in our squad, it would have been great for them to see," Symonds, who himself is of West Indian origin, says.

But the Aussies haven't allowed that to come in the way so far. Symonds hasn't had much of a role with the top order doing the job in most games, but he did enjoy his cameo against England that wrapped the game in Antigua.

"Yes, I had a really good training week last week and I felt, when I walked out into the ground the other day, that I hadn't left any stone unturned and I enjoyed my batting. There was still a small challenge when I got out there and that's probably just what I needed," the big all-rounder adds.

Back at the training ground, it's all business for the defending champions. This is a squad in transition with a few older players mentoring the young blood coming through.

"Especially with Glenn McGrath in the World Cup, just being around the guy and feeding off him and having a laugh with him. Every now and then in those conversations he will say a couple of things that helps out in my cricket as well. He probably doesn't know he is doing it, but he helps out a lot," the tearaway fast bowler says.

The Aussies are on a roll and at the moment look unstoppable. All they need to be on guard against is complacency and one bad day in the office, which can cause them the World Cup.