Ponting welcomes Symonds back into Aussie squad

Sydney, Nov 15 (UNI) Ricky Ponting today welcomed troubled all-rounder Andrew Symonds back into the Australian squad.

Symonds was dropped from the team after the 'gone fishing' incident before the home series against Bangladesh.

The burly Queenslander subsequently missed the crucial Test series in India which saw the world champions suffer an ignomious 2-0 loss and Ponting hoped that his return will improve things for the side.

''He's like Gilly (Adam Gilchrist) if he gets in and gets going a Test match can change very, very quickly. You almost need that sort of player in that one to six role, he's good at batting with the tail, you know he can clear the fence in that situation and keep the scoreboard ticking over,'' Ponting was quoted as saying by 'The Australian'.

''It is the same with a lot of those really talented players, Michael Clarke is a good example of that, his average is probably low 40s at state level and mid 40s, 45 at Test level. There's not many bowlers want to see him 22 yards away when he's going,'' he added.

UNI XC AB AKJ RAI1945