Sydney, Sept 18 : Australian Test captain Ricky Ponting has said that that his team-mate Andrew Symonds, who has not been picked up for the forthcoming India tour, was a terrific cricketer and that he would love to him back in his side "sooner than later".

The skipper said that Symonds' record in both the versions of the game, Test as well as ODIs, was outstanding.

"He's a terrific player and his Test record and one-day record over the last couple of years for Australia has been outstanding. Hopefully for him as a person, if he can get those things sorted out, then we'll have him back in the team. I'd love to have him back in the side sooner rather than later," The Age quoted Ponting as saying in Canberra.

Symonds would be missed on the up-coming tour of India, Ponting said and added he was showing all the signs of a man on his way back.

"I actually think there were some really positive signs over the last couple of days with Andrew. He's actually fronted the media and admitted that there's some room for improvement in certain parts of his life," said Ponting.

ANI