ICC rules in favour of Australia

The ICC have allowed Australia to pick injured all-rounder Andrew Symonds in their 15 man World Cup squad travelling to the Caribbean next month.

An ICC spokesperson said that the sports governing body had approved Australia’s request, that should Symonds not be fit for the World Cup, a replacement would be permitted.

“If at some stage during the World Cup it becomes apparent that Andrew cannot play due to his injuries not getting better, the medical regulations provide that if the WICB Medical Committee agrees that Andrew is unfit to play in any match after that stage, Australia can replace him with another player,” the ICC said in a statement.

The news comes as a relief to Australia, who will now be confident in picking Symonds with the knowledge that should he not be fit in time for the latter stages of the event, he will not be a waste of a player in the squad.

Symonds was forced to undergo surgery late last week after he tore his bicep during a one-day match against England, last Friday.