Andrew Symonds back in Test squad

[lockymac]

Surely Brad Hodge and Phil Jacques will be looking for English ancestry to try to get a Test spot..

On a day of shocks for Australian cricket the selectors produced two more by picking Andrew Symonds and Adam Voges, a Western Australia batsman, in the 13-man squad for the third Test starting on Thursday. Damien Martyn began the rash of surprises by retiring and the decision was followed by Cricket Australia insisting he was part of the original outfit for Perth.

While a "flabbergasted" Symonds was an outsider, Voges was not even on the radar until Martyn walked away. Voges, a hard-hitting 27-year-old, was chosen ahead of the injured Brad Hodge and Phil Jaques, Chris Rogers and Marcus North. He did not know the news until tapped on the shoulder during the game against the England XI at Lilac Hill. Told to leave the field, he thought he was in trouble until he took the call from Michael Brown, Cricket Australia's operations manager.

"This was not an easy decision as there are many players pushing for selection, which augers well for the future," Andrew Hilditch, the chairman of selectors, said. "His inclusion in the squad is a just reward for his efforts to date." Voges has impressed during his time at the Centre of Excellence in the off-season and he started the summer strongly for Western Australia, but he was dropped last month when the state's internationals returned to face Queensland.

The Symonds Test experiment appeared to have ended after the South Africa tour when he was dumped for the Bangaldesh series in April, but the aging attack's need for assistance has provided an opening. Shane Watson, the injured allrounder, was the first choice for the spot and Symonds has a chance to add to his 10 Tests and contribute with his mix of medium pace, offspin and aggressive batting.

"I was flabbergasted when I got the call," Symonds said. "I thought I was a million to one to play this series, especially when they went for Pup [Michael Clarke] when Watto was ruled out. I dug out my baggy green the other day when I was moving some stuff around and wondered if I would ever put it on my head again. That's still up in the air but I'm obviously a fair bit closer to that moment than I thought I was."

Hilditch said there was some uncertainty over the conditions at the WACA and the pitch would be assessed closely before the XI was named. Perth's previously quick surface has become more batsman friendly and a cap for Symonds is more likely than a debut for Voges, who will gain useful experience in the squad ahead of the one-day section of the summer.

Voges has scored two Pura Cup centuries this season, including a high of 152 against Tasmania, and has 320 runs at 53.06. In the one-day competition - he owns the record for the fastest century after his 62-ball effort in 2004-05 - he has picked up 233 runs at 46.60 and posted two half-centuries. Shaun Tait has been dropped from the squad while Mitchell Johnson, the 12th man for the first two Tests, has retained his spot.

Australia squad Justin Langer, Matthew Hayden, Ricky Ponting (capt), Michael Clarke, Michael Hussey, Andrew Symonds, Adam Voges, Adam Gilchrist (wk), Shane Warne, Brett Lee, Stuart Clark, Glenn McGrath, Mitchell Johnson.

 

[cliffy21]

WOW! Adam Voges is a bolter! Brad Hodges is injured so he wasn't considered. Umm I am trying to rack my brains for a better batsman but I am coming up empty. The selectors certainly have guts

 

[Allstar cards inc]

WOW! Adam Voges is a bolter! Brad Hodges is injured so he wasn't considered. Umm I am trying to rack my brains for a better batsman but I am coming up empty. The selectors certainly have guts

If they wanted to stick to the "Dad's Army" selection policy, they could have gone with Darren Lehmann!!

 

[wolvesjr34]

IMO Brad Hodge should not be considered at all cos he's not really that flash - one good innings does not make an international player - and I think he is too old to be starting his career (yes I know I know Hussey was quite old too but.... he in my eyes is an abberation and has many class years to come).


Dunno much about Voges but thats cool Just looking forward to when bowling wise they finally give Hilfenhaus a chance!

 

[the_pie]

I dont mind Voges but the Symonds experiment has been tried and tested many times and have failed, if the selectors want to go with an allrounder why not go for a Dominic Thornley or Cameron White although the later would prob not be considered for the WACA game.

 

[Funkadelic]

Symonds is great in the one dayers but I think he lacks the test match mentality.
They never get his hair right in stick cricket :roll:

 

[axeman23]

I reckon it's great having Symonds back! I always enjoy watching him play, and when he's in full flight batting-wise, there's not too many players I'd rather watch... Great in the field, too...

 

[clarkescards]

Congrats to Symmo. He'd be my 2nd choice spinner, due to his all-round ability. As for picking Voges, I'd have gone with Jacques, and if picked, batted him down the order @ 6.