Symonds hoping for quick return

Andrew Symonds, initially considered unlikely to play any role in the upcoming World Cup in the West Indies after tearing a bicep, is hoping for a quicker than expected return to the green and gold colours during the group stages of the tournament.

The Queensland all-rounder, who suffered the injury during the Commonwealth Bank Series and had to undergo surgery, is confident he will be able to return to the team for Australia’s third match of the tournament, the crucial game against South Africa on March 24.

Coach John Buchanan is concerned the muscle could be re-injured if Symonds was to come back too soon, suggesting he take a more cautious approach and aim to join the team during the Super Eight stage of the tournament. Symonds however isn’t worried about the risk of re-injury, saying that “if it happens, it happens” and “it wouldn’t be the end of the world” if it did, and that the importance of the World Cup outweighs the risk.

Cameron White, probably the unluckiest to miss out on inclusion in the 15-man Australian squad, is on standby to replace Symonds if necessary.