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BRISBANE - All-rounder Andrew Symonds has been rushed straight back into Australia's cricket team for the first test against New Zealand, starting tomorrow on a juiced-up Gabba wicket.
The Australian selectors gave their full backing to Symonds by declaring he will start his first international match in six
months after being dumped over the `gone fishing' affair.
Skipper Ricky Ponting announced on Wednesday the squad of 13 had been trimmed to 12 with Victorian quick Peter Siddle returned to state duty, while a decision would be made before the toss whether Shane Watson or Jason Krejza would carry the drinks.
Ponting, who had two long discussions with chief selector Andrew Hilditch at the Gabba in the morning, admitted it would be an extremely tough call for either all-rounder Watson or off-spinner Krejza to be made 12th man.
"It would be desperately unlucky whoever misses there," he said.
"Krejza has taken 12 wickets in the last Test match he's played and at different times through the Indian series Shane Watson was probably our best bowler.
"Symo when he was deemed to be fit and ready to go, it was important we got him back to our team.
"Him being a senior member of our team, and a very successful member of our team before he went out of it, it almost becomes like an injury-type replacement.
"He's been out for a couple of months but he's fit and ready to go now so he deserves his spot back in the side."
Ponting said conditions would decide whether the world champions would include a spinner.
The pitch is well-grassed and home-town opener Matthew Hayden expects it to be "spicy" but sunshine today had hardened up a surface curator Kev Mitchell Jnr was not displeased with.
The more it rains before Thursday morning's scheduled start the more likely Watson will play, but the Australians are also keen to retain Krejza to ensure they keep up their over-rates which were dreadfully slow in the 2-0 series loss in India.
"We'll wait and see what happens this afternoon and tonight, I believe there's a fair bit more rain around that's forecast," Ponting said. "We'll finalise (the team) tomorrow morning."
The No 7 ranked Blacks Caps were expected to name their 11 this afternoon.
Australia: Ricky Ponting (captain), Matthew Hayden, Simon Katich, Mike Hussey, Michael clarke, Andrew Symonds, Brad Haddin, Brett Lee, Mitchell Johnson, Stuart Clarke, Jason Krejza or Shane Watson (12th man to be named)
- AAP
