Symonds craves another Test

Andrew Symonds loves playing for Australia but believes his heavy one-day load threatens his chances of another Test call-up. A fixture in the limited-overs side, Symonds misses the opportunity for regular first-class action that could help or hinder his case for a third match in the baggy green.

"That is the difficult part of playing one-day cricket for Australia only," Symonds said in the Sydney Morning Herald. "You don't get to play domestic cricket and try and score big hundreds. It's not the worst position to be in. I'm happy earning a crust the way I am. It'd be nice to play a bit more four-day cricket."

The Test squad for New Zealand will be named next week and Symonds is an outside chance if Darren Lehmann is dropped for good and Shane Watson remains unavailable with a side strain. "I'd love to have another crack at Test cricket and I feel as though I could do a good job," he said. "Hopefully I can score a few more runs before this series is out and try and throw my name up there."

Symonds, who has played 113 matches, will have to rely on his one-day form to boost him into contention. Picked ahead of Simon Katich, he played two Tests in Sri Lanka last year and scored 53 runs and took one wicket. Katich is favoured to make the squad while Mike Hussey and Brad Hodge will also be discussed.

Some New Zealand batsmen spoke to Gilbert Enoka, the team psychologist, on Wednesday following the two losses and Symonds said the move was worth trying. "Psychologically I'd rather be in our position than theirs, but by no means have we backed off the gas," he said. "Whatever it takes to win. If they call a psychologist and they knock us over 3-2, it will be the greatest move of all time."

The third match is at Eden Park on Saturday and an Australia win will seal the series.