Worked to the bone Australian cricketers need rest

Paul Marsh, the head of the Australian cricket players' association, has revealed that several players have expressed concern over the gruelling and exhausting 18-month stretch of cricket that they have been subjected to.

When asked if some players would prefer to be resting, he said: ''I'm not going down that path, I'm not going to disrespect New Zealand, they are one of our greatest adversaries. We've been busy, there's no question about that, but the guys are looking forward to what's going to be a pretty tough series.''

Asked if tiredness could be factor when the series starts with a Twenty20 match on February 26, Marsh said, ''I'm not going to make excuses. The schedule has been very difficult for our guys, no question about that. It's something we've been voicing our concerns about for a number of years and it's one of our biggest issues.''

Since October 2008, Australia have been playing almost non-stop cricket and by the time they touch down in New Zealand, after the current series against the West Indies, they would have played 23 Tests, 49 one-day internationals and 12 Twenty20s - the equivalent of 176 days cricket - in the last 17 months, or a game every third day.

In comparison, New Zealand in the same period have played 14 Tests, 31 ODIs and 15 T20s, for 116 days of cricket, which is a game every four or five days.

Despite the burden of matches and travel, Australia have managed to stay on top in most forms of cricket, having won 11 of those 23 Tests, with seven losses and five draws, and have won 30 of the 47 ODIs.

''At the end of the New Zealand series our guys get a couple of months off. It will be well-deserved and well-needed,'' Marsh said.