Symonds back in action

Australian all-rounder Andrew Symonds, whose entire World Cup campaign looked in doubt after suffering an injury requiring surgery during the Commonwealth Bank Series, will return to action in today’s match against South Africa in St. Kitts.

Symonds has recovered well from the biceps surgery and today’s match, easily Australia’s most important in the group stage, has always been the target for his return.

Symonds considers himself around 95% fit, but says he wouldn’t play if he wasn’t confident he could handle a full 50-over contest, especially against a rival as tough as South Africa.

The all-rounder’s return will be a boost to Australia before this vital match, which will decide which team from Group A carries points forward into the Super Eight stage.

Symonds will replace Brad Hodge, who will feel a bit hard done by after scoring an impressive century in Australia’s last match.