Skipper Ricky Ponting says he has enough talent for Australia's Ashes defence in England this year without controversial all-rounder Andrew Symonds
Skipper Ricky Ponting says he has enough talent for Australia's Ashes defence in England this year without controversial all-rounder Andrew Symonds.
ADVERTISEMENT
Selectors preferred the injury-prone Shane Watson over Symonds when they unveiled their 16-man squad here today for the June-September series.
Ponting, who the previous day said he wouldn't be surprised if Symonds was named in his touring party, defended the selectors' choice of Watson and Andrew McDonald ahead of the headline-grabbing 34-year-old for the team's all-rounder spots.
Symonds has had a chequered 26-Test career and has not played a Test for Australia since Boxing Day last year against South Africa in Melbourne following a season of injury, poor form and off-field personal problems.
"I can't personally be disappointed and we both know how good a player Andrew can be, but the facts are that he went out of the side for reasons last year," Ponting said at the team announcement.
"Opportunities were given to others and they have played exceptionally well enough to keep Andrew out of the squad.
"That is as simple and as difficult as it actually needs to be."
Symonds has been making a late bid for Ashes inclusion with the Deccan Chargers in the Indian Premier League in South Africa.
"Look, he will be disappointed but I have a squad of 16 players to take to England that I am confident We can play a level of cricket that is going to be good enough to win the series," Ponting said.
"That is all I am focusing on now.
"The selections have been made and I know the selectors have thought long and hard about this squad and the squad has come up without Andrew's name in it."
Chairman of selectors, Andrew Hilditch, said Watson got the nod over Symonds even though it was subject to his recovery from a groin injury.
u00a0
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
