AUSTRALIAN players will break from tradition and mingle with New Zealand players during the minute's silence preceding today's World Cup match as a sign of condolence over the Christchurch earthquake.

Players from both teams will also wear black armbands to recognise the victims of the disaster.

''All our guys are really aware of it,'' captain Ricky Ponting said yesterday. ''We've .. watched everything, and been pretty much in shock in some of the things we've seen.

''I think a few of the NZ staff have actually gone home, I think their physio and their trainer. That rams it home a little bit more, I guess.

''It will add a lot [to the contest]. I bumped into a few of the NZ guys this morning who I'm quite close to.

''There are going to be a lot of things happening throughout the game tomorrow … the national anthems, a minute's silence before the game starts. Our idea is to get both teams to mingle together for that minute's silence, not just stay in the normal line-up - almost like a show of solidarity between the two countries.''

Jesse Hogan