Ponting hints at Symonds return

Ricky Ponting expects Andrew Symonds' name to feature on the Australia squad list despite his recent off-field troubles

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Australia captain Ricky Ponting has given the strongest indication yet that Andrew Symonds' Test exile will come to an end when the selectors name the Ashes squad tomorrow.

Controversial all-rounder Symonds has not played Test cricket since late last year, having endured a string of off-field dramas and injury problems in recent times.

But Ponting, a staunch supporter of Symonds in recent years, believes selectors will find room for the 33-year-old Queenslander in their 16-man squad.

“I wouldn't be surprised,” he said of Symonds' selection hopes. “He's had his share of battles over the last 12 months - obviously the well documented stuff off the field - and he's worked his way back into domestic cricket pretty well and played well for us over in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

“He's a great guy to have around the team - there's no doubt about that - and the selectors are going to have some tough decisions to make in the coming hours.”

Ponting also indicated that pacemen Brett Lee and Stuart Clark are likely to win recalls after missing the Australian summer through injury.

Speaking at a Sydney primary school today, Ponting insisted he had not yet seen the squad chosen by Andrew Hilditch, David Boon and Merv Hughes, but stressed the importance of striking a balance between experience and youth.

“With Stuart Clark and Brett more than likely coming back into our squad, (Ben) Hilfenhaus, (Peter) Siddle and (Mitchell) Johnson did an amazing job for us over in South Africa so there are going to be some tough calls to be made there somewhere. Luckily I'm not a selector I guess,” he said.

“Having spoken to Andrew Hilditch a fair bit over the last couple of weeks, there were some tough calls to make around all-rounders and obviously around spinners as well.

“Obviously the cards were laid on the table the other day with the spinners not getting contracted, so that's one that's probably going to look after itself.

“Whichever way we go, whether it's all-rounders or spare batters - or specialist batters - we're going to have all bases covered
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“To tell the truth, whichever way we go we'll have a very strong squad, and spots (will be) up for grabs when we get over there.”