Bracken to fly out today, Symonds passes first test

SYDNEY, MARCH 19. New South Wales fast bowler Nathan Bracken is all set to fly to Chennai tomorrow to join the Australian one-day squad. Bracken's departure to India was delayed after his passport was misplaced.

Another all-rounder Andrew Symonds, who too missed the trip along with the other replacements as he injured his right shoulder while packing his bags on Friday night, slipping off an ice cooler he was using to reach some stored playing gear at home will have a final fitness check tomorrow.

He underwent a fitness test in Brisbane today. Symonds will consult Australian Cricket Board's medical officer Trevor James tomorrow morning in Brisbane and if he has recovered well from the batting, bowling and fielding he carried out today, he will travel to India on Wednesday.

He was examined today by Queensland team doctor Simon Carter who watched him bat and bowl in the nets and work in the field. After a series of telephone calls to James and to Hohns, Carter gave Symonds the good news.

But his passport will not be stamped until he repeats the fitness test tommorrow for Carter and in front of Hohns to make sure the injury does not flare.

Symonds hit the ball powerfully in the nets and, after a few tentative overs of spin bowling, came off a longer run to send down several medium-paced deliveries. He then tested his injured shoulder with some fielding drills.

``I was surprised how good it felt then,'' said Symonds. ``There's a little bit of pain there, but it's not as sharp as it was the other day. At this stage everyone's happy but they want to check me again tomorrow morning to see how it pulls off after it cools down.''

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Section  : Sport
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