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Symonds gets Aussie call

Australia Cricket RSS / / 13 February 2007 /

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Australia have named Andrew Symonds in their 15-man World Cup squad despite the fact he has only just undergone surgery.

The 31-year-old tore a bicep tendon during a group game against England in the recent Commonwealth Bank series and had to go under the surgeon's knife to correct the problem.

Initial thoughts were that the hard-hitting all-rounder would not be fit to take his place in the Aussie line up for the Caribbean showpiece but chairman of selectors Andrew Hilditch believes Symonds is so important to the side that including him in the squad is a risk worth taking.

"His recovery from surgery has gone as well as could have been expected," he said.

"Given his importance to the team and the balance of the team it was felt that the risk of picking him so soon after surgery is warranted."

The English-born right-hander will miss Australia's warm-up games ahead of the tournament and is unlikely to play in the early group games, with the Aussies kicking off their campaign against Scotland on March 14 in St Kitts.

However the Queenslander should be fit to resume his place in the world champions' middle-order when the business-end of the tournament gets underway.

Elsewhere paceman Shaun Tait has been included along with Brad Hogg, as Stuart Clark and Cameron White miss out on the chance to make it three successive World Cup triumphs.

Hilditch played down the recent one-day series defeat to England and insisted that confidence is high going into the tournament.

"We think the squad is capable of winning the World Cup for a third consecutive time. We are still the best side in the world in our view," he added.

"We have been planning for the defence of the World Cup for two years. We've been pleased with the team's preparation and extremely pleased with the victory in the recent ICC Champions Trophy."

With or without the former Kent man, the Aussies are trading as the 2.82 favourites to defend their title with South Africa available at 8 and the West Indies on offer at 9.6.

Australia World Cup squad:
Ricky Ponting (capt), Adam Gilchrist, Matthew Hayden, Michael Clarke, Mike Hussey, Brad Hodge, Shane Watson, Andrew Symonds, Brad Haddin, Brad Hogg, Brett Lee, Mitchell Johnson, Shaun Tait, Nathan Bracken, Glenn McGrath.

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