Symonds named in Australian side

[Feed]

Andrew Symonds will play his first match for Australia for six months in the first Test against New Zealand on Thursday. More... Symonds named in Australian side FIRST TEST MATCH: Australia v New Zealand Venue: The Gabba, Brisbane Date: Thursday, 20 November Start: 0000 GMT Coverage: Live Scorecard on BBC Sport website. Live on Sky. Symonds has played in 22 Test matches and scored 1,295 runs at an average of 44.65 Australia will bring back Andrew Symonds into the team for the first Test against New Zealand on Thursday. Symonds was sent home from Australia's series against Bangladesh in August for skipping a team meeting to go fishing, but he will return in Brisbane. "When he was deemed fit and ready to go, it was important we got Symo back in," said captain Ricky Ponting. With Peter Siddle already sent home, either all-arounder Shane Watson or spinner Jason Krejza will be 12th man. "It would be desperately unlucky whoever misses out," added Ponting. "Krejza has taken 12 wickets in the last Test match he's played and at different times through the Indian series Shane Watson was probably our best bowler. "But Symo being a senior member of our team, and a very successful member of our team before he went out of it, it almost becomes like an injury-type replacement. "He's been out for a couple of months but he's fit and ready to go now so he deserves his spot back in the side." Australia will be hoping to bounce back after their 2-0 series defeat in India, with a three-Test series against South Africa starting in December. New Zealand are confident both wicket-keeper Brendon McCullum (back and foot) and batsman Jesse Ryder (virus) will recover in time to take their places in the Black Caps' side. They called up Peter Fulton and Gareth Hopkins as cover in case the duo failed fitness tests and were deemed unavailable for the Gabba, but both should play. Skipper Daniel Vettori has told his inexperienced batsmen they must make at least 300 in their first innings if they are to put any pressure on the hosts. "It's something we've been crying out for, for a long, long time, trying to get our top six past the 300-mark," said Vettori. "Unless you do that, you have no chance against Australia. It's asking a lot from inexperienced guys, but I think we have the talent to do it." Australia (from): Ricky Ponting (capt), Matthew Hayden, Simon Katich, Mike Hussey, Michael Clarke, Andrew Symonds, Brad Haddin, Brett Lee, Mitchell Johnson, Stuart Clarke, Jason Krejza, Shane Watson. New Zealand (from): Daniel Vettori (capt), Aaron Redmond, Jamie How, Jesse Ryder, Ross Taylor, Brendon McCullum, Daniel Flynn, Grant Elliott, Iain O'Brien, Kyle Mills, Chris Martin, Tim Southee.