Allrounder Symonds back in Australia team

Allrounder Andrew Symonds makes his return to the Australia team with selection for a Twenty20 match against an All-Star XI on Friday.

Cricket Australia chief executive James Sutherland said Monday that Symonds had successfully completed “the prescribed welfare process” and his return was a result of much hard work on the player’s behalf.

Symonds was sent home from Australia’s series against Bangladesh at the northern city of Darwin in September for skipping a team meeting to go fishing. He subsequently was not selected for Australia’s four-test tour of India, with Cricket Australia deciding he needed more time to consider his international future.

“I have been in regular contact with Andrew over the last month or so,” Sutherland said. “He has made significant progress during his enforced lay off and we are happy that he is now available to be selected for Australia again.”

Michael Clarke will captain the Australia team while Ricky Ponting is rested after the India tour, and before the two-test series against New Zealand starting Nov. 20 at Brisbane.

Australia will play an Australian Cricketers’ Association All-Star team of cricketers selected by their fellow players at the conclusion of the 2007-08 season, ACA president Darren Lehman said.

“However, as some of the original team members have retired and others have been selected in the Australian team, we have used the opportunity to add legends Adam Gilchrist and Justin Langer to the side, in addition to three players who are currently playing outstanding interstate cricket,” Lehman said.

Teams: Australia: Michael Clarke (captain), Michael Hussey, Brett Geeves, Brad Haddin, Matthew Hayden, David Hussey, Shaun Marsh, Peter Siddle, Andrew Symonds, Shaun Tait, Shane Watson, Cameron White.

ACA All Stars: Adam Gilchrist (captain), Dan Cullen, Michael Dighton, Brendan Drew, Ryan Harris, Brad Hodge, Simon Katich, Justin Langer, Dan Marsh, Steve Magoffin, Ashley Noffke, Rob Quiney.

BRISBANE, Monday, AP