Symonds hopeful for New Zealand re-match

Andrew Symonds is expected to play the first match of the Chappell-Hadlee Series in Adelaide on Friday despite injuring his right ankle while fielding in the Twenty20 victory. Symonds has iced the ankle and will have further physio but should make it, a Cricket Australia spokesman told Cricinfo.

The problem is not as serious as when he first hurt it in the second Test against Sri Lanka and Michael Hussey said the allrounder's condition was "pretty good". "I know he will be getting physio over the next couple of days," Hussey said in Adelaide. "We'll see how he goes at training [on Thursday].

"He seemed pretty confident this morning, he wasn't too worried at all. He's obviously in great form and we want him in our team."

Symonds' problem was the only cloud surrounding Australia's thumping 54-run victory against New Zealand on Tuesday. Symonds hit a typically entertaining 85, which came from 46 balls, and Australia will rely on his input if he can recover in time to take part in the three-match series.

The Twenty20 was Michael Clarke's first match in charge and his usual captain Ricky Ponting, who sat out the match, was impressed with the appointment. "He's 26 now, so in a few years, when I'm finished, he'll be perfect age-wise and experience-wise to fit into the leadership roles," Ponting told the Australian.

Justin Langer, Clarke's former Test team-mate, also endorsed the view in the same paper. "I applaud the selectors for this short opportunity to give him a taste of it. It might just be the stepping stone for him to turn into the final product, as Steve [Waugh] and Punter have done."

Clarke has dismissed talk of future captaincy, especially with Ponting locked in for years, and he was ready to hand back the reins. "I will take one from one and give it back to Punter, I am quite happy with that," Clarke told Nine after the match. "It was a pretty easy team to captain, the guys were fantastic, and our energy out in the field was spot on."