Symonds handed All-Stars call

Andrew Symonds is set to play for Australia versus Adam Gilchrist's All-Stars

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Andrew Symonds will make his return to Australian colours for this week's Emirates All Star Twenty20 match in Brisbane.

Symonds will feature in Friday’s match for Michael Clarke’s Australia versus Adam Gilchrist’s All-Star XI.

Cricket Australia Chief Executive Officer James Sutherland said Symonds had successfully completed a period of ‘welfare process’ following his dropping from the Baggy Greens set-up and his return was a result of much hard work on his behalf.

"I have been in regular contact with Andrew over the last month or so. 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," Sutherland said.

"When he is up and firing, he is one of the very best players in the world and I’m delighted that he will play in the Emirates All Star Twenty20 this Friday and wish him well. Like his many fans around Australia, we're very much looking forward to having Andrew back."

"I know Andrew has had a very strong desire to fight his way back into the Australian team and I am confident that desire will be reflected in his actions over the coming months."

Ricky Ponting, Brett Lee, Mitchell Johnson and Stuart Clark will not feature in the match as part of their preparation to be available for selection in the first Test against New Zealand in Brisbane.

Chairman of selectors Andrew Hilditch was also pleased to give Shaun Tait, Peter Siddle, and Brett Geeves a chance to impress in national colours.

Gilchrist retired from interntionals earlier this year

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"Shaun Tait has been rewarded with a chance to get back into the Australian team. Shaun is a dynamic bowler in all forms of the game and given his outstanding performances in interstate one-day cricket, we feel he is ideally suited to the Twenty20 format," he said.

"Peter Siddle impressed on the tour of India and bowled particularly well in his first Test. This match presents him with an exciting challenge to show his skills against quality opposition."

"Brett Geeves is rewarded for his outstanding form in all formats of the game for Tasmania and during the recent Commonwealth Bank series in Darwin."

The All Star team was finalised once the Australian XI was confirmed and it is made up of experienced legends as well as State performers and future Australian representatives.

ACA president Darren Lehmann said: "Most of our team members were selected by their fellow players in the Johnnie Walker ACA All Star team at the conclusion of the 2007-08 season.

“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.”