Symonds to cap comeback

Andrew Symonds last played in a Test in 2005 © Getty Images

Australian all-rounder Andrew Symonds is treasuring the opportunity to wear his baggy green cap again after he was selected in his country’s squad for the third Test in Perth.

Australia are still considering their final line-up but Symonds is widely expected to replace Damien Martyn, who shocked the cricket world by announcing his immediate retirement from cricket on Friday.

Symonds has not featured in the Test side since being dropped last year, and despite a fearsome reputation in one-day cricket he averages just 19 from his 10 appearances in the longer form of the game.

He marked his return to the Test squad at the WACA on Monday by training in his treasured baggy green cap rather than the normal baseball-style caps provided with the training kit.

Symonds is a destructive batsman © Getty Images

“The boys were ribbing me a bit for wearing it, but I might not get a chance to wear it again so I’ll be wearing it whether I play or not for the next couple of days,” he said.

“I thought my Test career might be over. Over the last few weeks I’ve probably been trying too hard and things weren’t going that well but then I got the call-up.

“I was really shocked. I actually got my baggy green out a few days ago and looked at it and smelt it and wondered whether I’d ever wear it again.”