Mohali, Oct.20 : Cricket Australia CEO James Sutherland has said that all-rounder Andrew Symonds will not be rushed into the squad currently touring India, inspite of the poor performance of the team in the ongoing second test at Mohali.

Though Symonds is a commanding middle-order batsman and an effective spin bowler, Sutherland said: "It's not an issue for the selectors at this stage. There are medical and other related issues that are being worked through as part of the process. There is a staged process that Andrew has got to go through to get through the gate, so to speak."

"He is back playing cricket, which is good, but there is a whole lot of other things that need to be satisfied before we get to a stage for the selectors to have an interest in it," he added.

Sutherland has taken an interest in the rehabilitation of Symonds, who missed a team meeting in Darwin to go fishing in September and has been out of national contention since to address behavioural issues and reassess his priorities.

He was confident Symonds would again wear the baggy green, but said he would not be considered for this tour.

"I have spent some time with him and I know others have, and the thing I am pleased about is that he knows what he wants to do and perhaps there have been times in the course of the last year when he hasn't really known what is important to him," Sutherland said.

"I am satisfied that he is working in the right direction to play cricket for Australia again," he added.

ANI