Ponting backs Symonds to retain spot

Ricky Ponting has said he expected Andrew Symonds to retain his Test slot when Australia take on South Africa in the first of the three Tests at Perth. Michael Clarke's unbeaten double-century for New South Wales reignited the debate about his exclusion but Ponting was firm while backing Symonds, despite him having a tough time finding his feet in Test cricket.

"He certainly has my vote for Perth," Ponting said after Australia's easy seven-wicket win in the third Test at Adelaide. "As far as I'm concerned Andrew Symonds should continue in the team." Ponting also wasn't sure if Clarke could force himself back into the team yet. "If Symonds played [at Perth] I'd imagine not," Ponting said when asked about the possibilities of Clarke's immediate return.

"I think it just takes that one innings, as it does for most young players coming into a national team," Ponting said about Symonds. "Until you've actually been out there and done it you're not really quite sure what the right way to go about it is. I know I used to fight myself a lot when I first started and some of the other guys have said the same thing. Matthew Hayden said having scored his first Test century, he didn't know how to score runs in Test cricket before that."

Ponting was pleased by the manner in which less experienced players like Michael Hussey and Brad Hodge had found their groove and also gushed about the influence of Matthew Hayden. "Hussey has been great over the past couple of Tests," said Ponting, "Hodge has looked very much at home at Test level, Stuart MacGill has made an impact in every game he's played."

Regarding Hayden, who was named the Man of the Series for his 445 runs at an awesome average of 89, Ponting said: "He looks a completely different player now to at certain times during the Ashes series. Since he's been back he's looked the player of two or three seasons ago, when he never looked like getting out."