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Andrew Symonds’ colourful 26-Test career appears all but over after he was omitted from Australia’s 16-man Ashes touring squad. Symonds, who turns 34 next month, was overlooked in preference of younger all-rounders in Shane Watson, Andrew McDonald and Marcus North for the five Test series against England, beginning in Cardiff on July 8.

Andrew Hilditch’s selection panel remained loyal to the young squad that defeated South Africa in three out of four Tests in 2009, ensuring McDonald the nod over candidates such as Symonds and Brad Hodge. Watson, Australia’s all-rounder of choice on last year’s tour of India, has also earned a call-up despite only recently returning to bowling after another stint on the sideline with back stress fractures.

“Shane Watson has been named in the squad subject to fitness, but that is not expected to be a serious issue as he is recovering from a very mild groin strain at present and is expected to be fully fit for the ICC World Twenty20 in the UK and the commencement of the Ashes,” Hilditch said. “Shane in our view has the ability to bat anywhere in the order and enables us to have a batsman in the top six who can provide quality pace support for the fast bowling group.”

The inclusions of Watson and McDonald were the only contentious calls in an otherwise predictable Australian touring party. The five-man pace contingent largely selected itself – although Doug Bollinger can consider himself a trifle unlucky – and competition will be on in earnest when the Australians commence their first tour game against Sussex at Hove on June 24. Mitchell Johnson and Brett Lee are likely to take the new ball for Australia, leaving the Stuart Clark, Peter Siddle and Ben Hilfenhaus to duel for the final one or two slots, depending on whether Nathan Hauritz, the specialist spinner, is played.

The make-up of the Australian top-order also went to script. The top six from the tour of South Africa were all retained, and Brad Haddin, unsurprisingly, held his position. Haddin will be supported on tour by back-up wicketkeeper Graham Manou.

“The Ashes squad contains an exciting blend of experience and youth,” Hilditch said. “The core of the squad is made up of the side which successfully won the Test series in South Africa and includes Phillip Hughes and Marcus North who both scored hundreds on debut.

“The young fast bowling group which performed so well in South Africa of Peter Siddle, Mitchell Johnson and Ben Hilfenhaus will all be taking part in their first Ashes tour to England and as shown in South Africa, they have the skills to perform at the international level and will be well suited to English conditions. The bowling group has been further strengthened by the return from injury of Brett Lee and Stuart Clark.”

The squad: Ricky Ponting, Michael Clarke, Stuart Clark, Brad Haddin, Nathan Hauritz, Ben Hilfenhaus, Phillip Hughes, Michael Hussey, Mitchell Johnson, Simon Katich, Brett Lee, Graham Manou, Andrew McDonald, Marcus North, Peter Siddle, Shane Watson.
Source:Cricket News

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