BRISBANE // The all-rounder Andrew Symonds is back in the Australia side for the opening Test against New Zealand at the Gabba which starts today.
The captain Ricky Ponting made the announcement yesterday, leaving the spinner Jason Krejza and all-rounder Shane Watson locked in a battle for the final spot in the starting XI for today's match. Ponting and the chairman of selectors Andrew Hilditch are yet to make a decision on who will carry the drinks, suggesting the weather and final condition of the pitch will impact the verdict.
"We'll wait and see what happens this afternoon and tonight, I believe there's a fair bit more rain around which is forecast this afternoon, so we'll wait until tomorrow morning before we finalise what the starting XI will be," Ponting said.
He admitted that whoever is left on the sidelines has a right to feel aggrieved after their fine efforts in the tour of India. "Absolutely, it'll be desperately unlucky for whoever misses out there, Krazy has taken 12 wickets in the last Test match he played and at different times during the Indian series Watson was probably our best bowler," he added.
Ponting said Symonds's ability as a player meant that he demanded selection after spending months away from the national side following his dismissal from the Top End ODI series for disciplinary reasons.
"A tough decision had to be made there, obviously with Symmo, when he was deemed to be fit and ready to go, I thought it was important we got him back," Ponting said.
"Being a senior member of our team and being someone who was a successful member of our team before he went out of it, it almost becomes like an injury-type replacement."
After days on end of inclement weather, sunshine was finally out in force in Brisbane yesterday and the covers were able to come off, revealing an expectedly green Gabba wicket.
Ponting believed the pitch would play well, provided the showers stayed away. "It's encouraging to see a lot of sun out there," he said.
Australia will go into the match as favourites and Ponting anticipated his side would bounce back after a 2-0 Test series loss to India.
"Whether that's 2-0 or 1-0, I'd expect us to win," he said.
* PA Sport
ASHES SCHEDULE
First Test
November 23-27 (The Gabba, Brisbane)
Second Test
December 2-6 (Adelaide Oval, Adelaide)
Third Test
December 14-18 (Waca Ground, Perth)
Fourth Test
December 26-30 (Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne)
Fifth Test
January 4-8, 2018 (Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney)
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Day 4, Abu Dhabi Test: At a glance
Moment of the day Not much was expected – on Sunday or ever – of Hasan Ali as a batsman. And yet he lit up the late overs of the Pakistan innings with a happy cameo of 29 from 25 balls. The highlight was when he launched a six right on top of the netting above the Pakistan players’ viewing area. He was out next ball.
Stat of the day – 1,358 There were 1,358 days between Haris Sohail’s previous first-class match and his Test debut for Pakistan. The lack of practice in the multi-day format did not show, though, as the left-hander made an assured half-century to guide his side through a potentially damaging collapse.
The verdict As is the fashion of Test matches in this country, the draw feels like a dead-cert, before a clatter of wickets on the fourth afternoon puts either side on red alert. With Yasir Shah finding prodigious turn now, Pakistan will be confident of bowling Sri Lanka out. Whether they have enough time to do so and chase the runs required remains to be seen.
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Tips for entertaining with ease
· Set the table the night before. It’s a small job but it will make you feel more organised once done.
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Seven tips from Emirates NBD
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Thursday’s fixtures
6pm: Hyderabad Nawabs v Pakhtoon Warriors
10pm: Lahore Sikandars v Pakhtoon Blasters
Teams
Chennai Knights, Lahore Sikandars, Pakhtoon Blasters, Abu Dhabi Stars, Abu Dhabi Dragons, Pakhtoon Warriors and Hyderabad Nawabs.
Squad rules
All teams consist of 15-player squads that include those contracted in the diamond (3), platinum (2) and gold (2) categories, plus eight free to sign team members.
Tournament rules
The matches are of 25 over-a-side with an 8-over power play in which only two fielders allowed outside the 30-yard circle. Teams play in a single round robin league followed by the semi-finals and final. The league toppers will feature in the semi-final eliminator.
