Australia’s cricketers have visited the diggers at the Al Minhad Air Base in Dubai, with captain George Baily describing the day as a “sobering experience.”

The troops stationed at the base have been rattled by the deaths of five of their comrades last month in Afghanistan.

Twenty20 captain Bailey says his men have taken plenty out of their weekend visit to see the diggers train their decision-making skills in high-pressure situations.

Lieutenant Colonel Phil McMaster says defence force personnel have been proud to host the cricket squad and have enjoyed mixing with the players.

Lt-Col McMaster says it has been an extremely tough time for the diggers in the past few weeks.

The crew of around 400 soldiers, sailors, airmen and airwomen hosted the players for an evening barbecue in a Hercules hangar.

“It has been a very tough time over the last two weeks for everyone. Not only in Al Minhad but particularly in Afghanistan because we’ve lost five fallen comrades,” Lt-Col McMaster said.

“So to have the team here today to show their respects firstly, and to give us a shot in the arm if you like, was an incredibly powerful experience.

“Some of the bats that have been signed by the team today will get taken forward into Afghanistan and presented to the 3RAR Task Group and the special operations task group as a memorial for them.”

Bailey said it was an honour for the players to be able to pay their respects to the work of the armed forces.

“It gives great perspective. It’s a very sobering experience,” Bailey said.

Bailey’s men were given a tour of the joint-operations room and shown roadside-bombs as well as several demonstrations of how to take care of casualties while under fire.

Bailey said he found it hard to think the cricketers were giving the defence force personnel a boost.

“We’re getting more out of it than these guys,” Bailey said.

“A lot of the things we talk about are playing under pressure, working as a team and commitment to the cause.