Allrounder 'seriously close' to full fitness

Symonds wants to play on Sunday

Andrew Miller

March 14, 2007

Ricky Ponting was satisfied with Shaun Tait's opening World Cup performance © Getty Images

Andrew Symonds could complete a remarkable comeback from injury when the team for Australia's second World Cup match against The Netherlands is unveiled. Six weeks ago it was feared Symonds could miss the entire tournament after tearing the biceps in his right arm, but Ricky Ponting said the allrounder was now "seriously close" to full fitness.

"He was saying on the bus he was ready to play today, but that's just him saying that," Ponting said in the aftermath of the 203-run win over Scotland. "We can't afford to take him into that game if he's only 75-80% fit, in case he hurts himself again. There's been a well-thought-out process to get him back to where he is now, so we've just got to make sure he ticks all those boxes."

Symonds' fitness is crucial to Australia's prospects of defending their World Cup crown, not only for the explosiveness of his middle-order batting, but for the versatility of his spin and medium-pace bowling. On the slow, low pitches of the Caribbean he is sure to carry a major role at some stage of the tournament.

"He'd play with one arm if he could but he's getting seriously close," Ponting said. "There will be some discussion about him playing against The Netherlands [on Sunday], because he's rolling his arm over and doing a fair bit of throwing, and he's comfortable with his batting. The next few days are crucial if he's going to play against Holland."

Ponting said he would be having several lengthy discussions with Australia's chairman of selectors, Andrew Hilditch, who is in St Kitts, before any decision is made. "We probably could play him as just a batsman, but he's still got to field," Ponting said. "There's nowhere to hide in a one-day international, and the last thing we want is for him to hurt himself again."

In Symonds' absence, Ponting used today's match to test the depth of his spin options. Michael Clarke, the usual alternative, was overlooked, and instead Brad Hodge took 1 for 17 in a tidy six-over spell. "We wanted to give Hodge a good bowl today and he looked good," Ponting said. "Clarke has played a fair bit and bowled a fair bit, and I know what I get from him."

Ponting said he had been satisfied with the performance of another key man in Australia's strategy, Shaun Tait, who has stepped into Brett Lee's shoes as the team's out-and-out paceman and picked up 2 for 45. "He's been pretty good," Ponting said. "He's done what was expected of him.

"He's a real impact bowler for us, and we'll use him when we need a wicket or when a new batsman comes to the crease. Because of his extreme pace he's going to go for a few boundaries, especially on these smaller grounds, but he's going to be a real card for us in this World Cup."

Andrew Miller is UK editor of Cricinfo

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