Symonds Dropped From Ashes Tour Triple M 20 May, 2009 - 11:49 AM

Controversial all-rounder Andrew Symonds has been overlooked for Australia's Ashes tour of England but pace stalwarts Brett Lee and Stuart Clark have been recalled.

Chief Test selector Andrew Hilditch this morning named a 16-man squad for the five-Test series which included all-rounders Shane Watson and Andrew McDonald ahead of Symonds.

Watson has been chosen subject to fitness after sustaining a minor groin injury in the recent limited-over series against Pakistan but Hilditch fully expected him to take his place.

The five-Test series starts with the First Test in Cardiff from July 8 and finishes with the Fifth Test at The Oval in late August.

Australia hold the Ashes after Ricky Ponting's side's 5-0 whitewash at home in 2006-07 regained the urn after a 2-1 defeat in England in 2005.

The shock announcement comes as the full line up was revealed at 11am.

Full Team:

Ricky Ponting (capt), Michael Clarke, Simon Katich, Phillip Hughes, Michael Hussey, Brad Haddin, Andrew McDonald, Marcus North, Mitchell Johnson, Peter Siddle, Brett Lee, Stuart Clark, Ben Hilfenhaus, Nathan Hauritz, Graham Manou, Shane Watson.

Ashes 2009 dates and venues:

1st Test 8-12 July, Cardiff
2nd Test 16-20 July, Lords, London
3rd Test 30-3 Ausgust, Edgbaston Cricket Ground, Birmingham
4th Test 7-11 August, Headingley Stadium, Leeds
5th Test 20-24 August, The Oval, London

Have Cricket Australia selected the best team? Let rip your thoughts below...

(13)

• Joe says

  Typical - we so need a spinner

  Posted Wednesday 20 May, 2009 11:41 AM
• Jo says

  Gee wiz we have no spinner

  Posted Wednesday 20 May, 2009 12:02 PM
• Timmy Gee says

  He's a reckless loose cannon. Better he stays in Australia and goes fishing.

  Posted Wednesday 20 May, 2009 12:03 PM
• Liz says

  Shame he was good when he was in his prime but what does a sheila know.

  Posted Wednesday 20 May, 2009 12:03 PM
• andy says

  i can't believe we're going to england without a spinner; horroritz does NOT spin the ball.

  and twatson is in the squad? good grief.

  at least punter didn't get his way and get symonds in.

  Posted Wednesday 20 May, 2009 12:13 PM
• Dave D says

  It is ponting who should of got the flick,,,, he makes more bad decisions than Symonds

  Posted Wednesday 20 May, 2009 3:32 PM
• Steve Hansen says

  Symonds is an over rated boof head any way, doesn't deserve to be considered as he is not up to test level as a batsman or a bowler. I still think Warney would be a massive in.

  Posted Wednesday 20 May, 2009 4:39 PM
• bruiser says

  Andy Symonds should thank his lucky stars he's been around this long!!!!! Attitude and and big chip on his shoulder! Can't perform for oz at times but when worth big bucks in IPL against the not best bowlers, has a great time. Sorry,not sad to see him go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  Posted Wednesday 20 May, 2009 6:30 PM
• hawks10 says

  Why on earth do they persist with Watson, he has more injuries than Symonds has chips on his shoulder. No doubt he'll be home within a few weeks with a strained eyelash!!

  Posted Thursday 21 May, 2009 9:34 AM
• Iva Biggen says

  Symonds wont be missed by the players but the media will miss him. No other characters in the team any more.

  Posted Thursday 21 May, 2009 12:33 PM

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