Watson confident of Symonds return

Shane Watson is confident Andrew Symonds will return to the Australian set up

Australia all-rounder Shane Watson believes his team-mate and close friend Andrew Symonds will return to the international fold.

Symonds is currently contemplating his future as an international cricketer after he was sent home from Australia’s one-day international series against Bangladesh for breaking team rules.

The 33-year-old missed a compulsory team meeting, preferring instead to go fishing, which prompted his expulsion from the squad.

Cricket Australia have indicated they want the all-rounder to go away and consider his international future, although some reports suggest Symonds could be prepared to give up his place in the national team and focus solely on playing in the Indian Premier League.

Symonds was the highest paid foreign player in the league after he sold at auction for US$1.35 million to the Deccan Chargers.

And while Watson admits the lure of that cash sum, for just two months’ work, is appealing he expects Symonds to return and pull on the baggy green cap again.

"I hope that's (IPL) not the way he goes because I don't want this to be the last of the Australian public seeing Andrew Symonds playing,” Watson said.

"I know Andrew Symonds well and I know deep down he's worked so, so hard and been through a lot of ups and downs throughout his career to play for Australia.

"I've got no doubt in my mind that he'll be back hopefully sooner rather than later when he knows his mind is exactly where he wants to be."

Meanwhile, Bangladesh batsman Raqibul Hassan will miss the final two games of the one-day international series against Australia after fracturing his thumb.

The 20-year-old sustained the injury after he was hit by a delivery from Brett Geeves in the first game of the series, which Australia won by 180 runs.

“He (Raqibul) will not take part in the remaining two matches on September 3 and September 9 in Darwin," a statement from the Bangladesh Cricket Board said.