Andrew Symonds has been included in Australia’s preliminary squad for the Champions Trophy but says he will not risk his safety if unrest continues in Pakistan.
Symonds has long expressed concerns over Pakistan staging the limited-overs tournament for the world’s top eight cricket teams in September.
He previously threatened to boycott a test tour to Pakistan before it was postponed, in March, also due to security concerns.
PHOTO: AP
“My feelings haven’t changed a great deal,” Symonds said in a radio interview soon after returning from Australia’s test and limited-overs series wins in the West Indies.
Symonds was selected in the 30-man preliminary squad, along with injured skipper Ricky Ponting and fast bowler Shaun Tait, announced yesterday by Cricket Australia. The squad will be trimmed to 15 next month.
The International Cricket Council has said it will not risk the safety of any player or official and is reviewing security in Pakistan. It is expected to make a final decision on the Sept. 11-28 tournament before the end of this month.
Alternate venues include Sri Lanka and South Africa.
The Pakistan Cricket Board says it is confident it can stage the tournament despite recent attacks that have raised security concerns.
The promise came the same day a suicide attack killed at least 18 people in Pakistan’s capital, Islamabad. The next day, a series of small blasts in Karachi wounded 43 people.
Australia holds the World Cup and Champions Trophy and is ranked No. 1 in test cricket, but has lost several experienced players in recent seasons, including Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath and Adam Gilchrist.
“The squad recognizes the continued success of the one-day side and its outstanding efforts in the West Indies, together with the strong performance of our young emerging talent,” chairman of selectors Andrew Hilditch said. “While Australia is clearly in a rebuilding phase, it was very pleasing to see the efforts of the new players in the West Indies and the manner in which the senior players have taken to the role of mentoring their development,” he said.
Beau Casson was excluded despite joining the test lineup on the West Indies tour following Stuart MacGill’s sudden retirement, with Hilditch saying the young spin bowler needed more exposure to limited-overs cricket.
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