Sport - Cricket

Ponting hails Symonds

Melbourne: Australian skipper Ricky Ponting on Saturday hailed Andrew Symonds’ match-winning abilities and said the all-rounder was a big-match player, whom his side needed down the batting order.

Symonds returned to the national side after missing the India tour after completing a rehabilitation programme, recommended by Cricket Australia. Ponting looked happy with Symonds’ return in the team and compared him to retired stumper Adam Gilchrist.

“He’s like Gilly (Adam Gilchrist) if he gets in and gets going a Test match can change very, very quickly. You almost need that sort of player in that one to six role, he’s good at batting with the tail, you know he can clear the fence in that situation and keep the scoreboard ticking over,” Ponting said.

Meanwhile, former skipper Steve Waugh has suggested that Australia should not sacrifice Shane Watson to accommodate Symonds. Rather, the strategy should be to play both the all-rounders in the Test series against New Zealand.

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