Horan: Dean Jones on Symonds for Victoria. (18 Oct 95)

Title: Jones: We Can Slot In Andy Author: Michael Horan Source: Herald-Sun (October 18, 1995)

Victorian captain Dean Jones yesterday gave an open invitation to discarded Queensland batsman Andrew Symonds to play for Victoria.

The hard-hitting right hander, who earlier this year turned his back on the opportunity to play Test cricket for England in favor of staking his Australian claim with Queensland, was left out of the Bulls` side to meet Victoria for the opening Sheffield Shield match against Victoria, starting at the Gabba tomorrow.

Ahead is a long, perhaps impossible, climb to the top if he elects to stay in Brisbane. Born of West Indian parents in England but an Australian citizen Symonds, 20, has been left out by the Bulls after playing in their first two Mercantile Mutual Cup matches.

"He`s very welcome to move to Victoria and have a go." Jones said yesterday.

"There are obviously a couple of batting slots in our side that are not cemented and Andrew, along with anyone else qualified to play for the Vics, can seize the opportunity if he wants.

"He`s a good player. Too good not to be playing Shield cricket."

In his two one-day knocks for Queensland this year, Symonds made four against Victoria before being brilliantly stumped by Darren Berry, and then thumped 27 off a mere 13 balls against NSW at North Sydney Oval last Sunday.

Symonds had the Elgland selectors courting him after he smashed almost 1500 runs last season with county side Gloucestershire, but he opted to take his chances with Australia, via home state Queensland.

After hearing of Jones` comments, Symonds was flattered, if noncommital: "That sort of thing can never be ruled out, but I haven`t really thought about it."

With former Test captain Allan Border electing to go around again, plus entrenched batting stars like Matthew Hayden, Trevor Barsby, Martin Love, Stuart Law and Jim Maher, Queensland is struggling to squeeze the rising star into the side.

Queensland captain Ian Healy may also be missing when the Bulls` Shield defence begins tomorrow.

Healy has been unable to overcome a nagging hamstring strain which has already sidelined him for both one-dayers and will hand over the leadership to all-rounder Stuart Law, while Wade Seccombe takes the gloves.

The Vicorian side flew in yesterday morning and went directly to the Gabba to prepare to arrest a Gabba Shield losing streak which now streches 11 years.

Source :: Herald Sun