Hayden and Symonds eye comebacks

Australia will watch the progress of Matthew Hayden and Andrew Symonds closely after they were picked to return from injury in Queensland's FR Cup match against South Australia on Wednesday. Hayden and Symonds are part of a large group of struggling national players - Stuart MacGill (knee and hand), Phil Jaques (mumps) and Michael Clarke (hamstring) are the others - and they face another fitness test before being cleared for the game at the Gabba.

Both players were selected for the Pura Cup fixture with South Australia, who won by six wickets, but Hayden pulled out with knee tendonitis and Symonds withdrew due to his ankle injury. Symonds hurt himself while batting in the second Test against Sri Lanka in Hobart last month.

The Chappell-Hadlee Series starts on December 14 and the domestic game will be their last chance to prove their fitness in a match before New Zealand arrive. While Symonds and Hayden look to play, Ashley Noffke has been rested.

Noffke has been an all-round success this season, but he was coming back from a hamstring tear against South Australia and Queensland have decided to let him prepare for the two matches against New South Wales from December 12. However, if the Australian selectors are feeling adventurous Noffke, who has 24 Pura Cup wickets and 490 runs, may be in Perth for the Twenty20 match against New Zealand.

"Ash is a very important part of the team at the moment, but with the likes of Mitchell Johnson and Michael Kasprowicz available and allrounders Shane Watson and James Hopes bowling, this is the best chance to give him a break ahead of some crucial matches," Ray Phillips, the Queensland chairman of selectors, said. "It's a precaution but one that will benefit the team and Ash." Queensland, who are third on the one-day table, have dropped Nathan Reardon, Lee Carseldine, Chris Swan, Scott Brant, Grant Sullivan and Daniel Doran.

South Australia, who are aiming for three wins in a row, have called up Cameron Borgas to replace Andy Delmont who broke his little finger in the win against Queensland earlier this week. Graham Manou will be rested, following a fitness assessment, but is expected to be fit for Sunday's match in Wollongong.

Queensland squad Matthew Hayden, Shane Watson, Clinton Perren, Jimmy Maher (capt), Andrew Symonds, James Hopes, Aaron Nye, Craig Philipson, Chris Simpson, Chris Hartley (wk), Mitchell Johnson, Michael Kasprowicz.

South Australia squad Shane Deitz (wk), Matthew Elliott, Cameron Borgas, Mark Cosgrove, Callum Ferguson, Daniel Harris, Nathan Adcock (capt), Daniel Christian, Jason Gillespie, Dan Cullen, Ryan Harris, Shaun Tait.