The ASHES 2006/2007Free spirit Andrew Symonds seems certain to make his return to the Australia cricket team in the third Ashes Test against England starting in Perth on Saturday.
Symonds will likely fill the vacancy left by the shock retirement of his mate Damien Martyn, leaving uncapped batsman Adam Voges, simultaneously called into the Australian squad, to wait a little longer for his Test debut.
The recall of Symonds would likely push Michael Hussey to No. 4 in the Australian order, the hole left by Martyn's withdrawal, and would add a new element to both Australia's batting and bowling lineups.
Symonds admitted yesterday to having recently pulled his baggy green Australia Test cap out of its drawer at his home and asked himself whether he would ever wear it again.
He had a tentative answer when, before practicing with his teammates in Perth, Australia coach John Buchanan enjoined him to use his free spirited approach to Australia's advantage.
"I was in the bathroom putting suncream on and the coach came to me and said, `I just want you to play freely and with your free spirit attitude,'" Symonds said.
"[He said] don't worry about results. Results will look after themselves if you just go out there and enjoy yourself," Symonds said.
The words were a significant encouragement for Symonds whose performances in limited overs cricket have been outstanding but who has yet to make the best of his sparse outings in Tests.
But England-born Symonds, whose last Test appearance came in South Africa in April, could get his chance this week with his aggressive batting and off break bowling proving key on a WACA pitch expected to take turn.
"It's the hype and the build-up up to Test cricket [that] is slightly different, it's a bit more intense. I don't know for what reason. That's probably where I personally have gone wrong in the past," he said.
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