Skipper Tim Paine calls Australia bushfire 'real eye-opener'; credits the 'real heroes'

As catastrophic blazes ripped through Australia's south-east on New Year's eve, Test team captain, Tim Paine lauded firefighters and called m 'real heroes' of summer. Ahe of third Test against New Zealand in Trans Tansman Trophy which commences on January 3, Paine stated that match could provide an opportunity to distract people and give m a bit of happiness. 

'A real eye-opener for us'

On eve of third Test, Paine said, "I think way we sort of look at this, an opportunity to provide a distraction for people and a bit of happiness if we can, by playing a brand of cricket that- as we have touched on a lot - that Australians are proud of. Certainly, at times, it is important for us to look outside bubble we live in as international cricketers. events that are going on in country at moment, are a real eye-opener for us."

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Furrmore, he ded, "We speak about one of our things as being humble and showing some humility, so our thoughts certainly go out to people who have been affected. fires have got worse, I think overnight and firefighters, as we said, have been real heroes of summer, taking on some extreme risks and putting mselves in some pretty extraordinary situations. So we thank m on behalf of our team, and our wishes and thoughts are with people that are currently affected." 

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State of Emergency declared in Australia

Australian authorities on Thursday declared a state of emergency and forced evacuation of residents, tourists and closure of ros in bushfire zones in states of New South Wales and Victoria ahe of Saturday's forecast of "horrible" fire conditions due to intensified heatwave. 

New South Wales government on Thursday declared a state of emergency for a week starting Friday which would mean forced evacuations and ro closures for people in bushfire zones ahe of Saturday's forecast "horrible" fire conditions. Authorities have urged people to leave impacted areas if y can as Rural Fire Service department is expecting tough conditions over weekend.

"So we're going to have a very long, difficult day of hot, dry winds, dominating out of rth, rth-west before a sourly change emits. It is going to be a very dangerous day. It's going to be a very difficult day,'' Rural Fire Service Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons said.

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