By Neena Bhandari, IANS,
Sydney : All-rounder Andrew Symonds’ passage to India has been sealed as Cricket Australia Friday omitted him from the 15-man squad for the four-Test tour of India.
“Andrew Symonds was stood down for disciplinary reasons in Darwin and is now going through a process managed by Cricket Australia designed to give him time to assess whether he is fully committed to all of the things needed for a cricketer to be a member of the world’s number one team”, National Selection Panel (NSP) Chairman Andrew Hilditch said.
“Cricket Australia has told us that selectors will be advised once Andrew can be considered again for selection and we hope we can look forward to that advice in due course because as we all know, a fit and fully-committed Andrew Symonds can be a world beater”, Hilditch added.
The team includes two internationally inexperienced spinners, Bryce McGain and Jason Krejza.
“Bryce McGain was the standout leg-spinner at interstate level last year and we think he is really well suited to the Indian conditions and bowling plans.
“Jason Krejza had a good season for Tasmania last year but is a selection very much for Indian conditions. The selectors felt right-arm finger spinners would perform well in India and Jason now has a chance to prove himself at the international level”, Hilditch said.
Describing the India tour as an “Icon series” for the Australian team, Hilditch said: “A lot of planning has gone into how we want to play against the Indian team and how we go about that in Indian conditions. We are pleased with the balance achieved in this squad.”
The fast bowling attack, led by Brett Lee, will include two youngsters – Doug Bollinger and Peter Siddle.
“Peter Siddle is an exciting young fast bowler who has overcome some injury concerns and has continued to impress at interstate level. He has recovered really well from recent shoulder surgery and bowled exceptionally during his limited chances in India during the Australia A tour”, Hilditch said.
Cricinfo website describes Bollinger as “a left-arm fast bowler who mixes sharp pace with a consistent line and length, Bollinger has progressed over the past few seasons from steady workhorse to dangerous new-ball option”.
In the absence of Symonds, Shane Watson and Simon Katich will take on the middle-order batting spot in the squad that includes Ricky Ponting (captain), Michael Clarke (vice-captain), Doug Bollinger, Stuart Clark, Brad Haddin, Matthew Hayden, Michael Hussey, Phil Jaques, Mitchell Johnson, Simon Katich, Jason Krejza, Brett Lee, Bryce McGain, Peter Siddle and Shane Watson.