ST KITTS: CRICKET: Australian all-rounder Andrew Symonds is fit to face South Africa in the World Cup

World champions Australia received the ideal morale boost on Friday (March 23) when all-rounder Andrew Symonds was passed fit to play in Saturday's World Cup Group A finale against South Africa. Symonds, who has not played since rupturing his right bicep muscle in a tri-series match against England on Feb. 2, completed a full training session under the gaze of team coach John Buchanan and chairman of selectors Andrew Hilditch. A final throwing session with captain Ricky Ponting satisfied the team management he was fit to return for the biggest match of the first round and Brad Hodge, who scored a century against the Netherlands, was given the bad news that he would not be playing. "I wouldn't go out there and play if I didn't think I could play a full 100 overs," Symonds told reporters. "Today I threw very freely, I had no pain at all. Every day I just improved, I didn't stop improving. I would say I'm 95 percent fit now." Symonds is a key member of the one-day side and his return makes an already strong team all the more formidable. He is one of the big hitters in the Australia side, possibly their best all-round fielder and a fine bowler at either medium pace or with his off-spinners. The latter style is certain to be employed on the slow Caribbean pitches in conjunction with Brad Hogg's left-arm wrist spin. "Bowling hasn't been a problem," Symonds added. "I have been bowling for a week or 10 days." Australia team: Adam Gilchrist, Matthew Hayden, Ricky Ponting (captain), Michael Clarke, Andrew Symonds, Michael Hussey, Shane Watson, Brad Hogg, Nathan Bracken, Shaun Tait, Glenn McGrath.

ITN Source | March 25, 2007

Tags:. .possibly. .st. .match. .fit. .key