Symonds says Australia hold the cards

On a confidence-high after a match-winning 104 against Pakistan at Lord's, Andrew Symonds is vocal in his belief that Australia's experience with English conditions would help their Champions Trophy campaign.

Symonds, an experienced campaigner in county cricket, played for two counties, and one of his more memorable knocks came for Gloucestershire: a 202-ball 252 with 16 sixes. And with Australians being the flavour of choice for most county teams, Glenn McGrath, Michael Kasprowicz, Matthew Hayden and Michael Clarke have played in England - all with a degree of success.

The intricate knowledge of English conditions would work to their advantage, said Symonds, and hinted that their lack of success in previous editions of the tournament would motivate the players. "Playing county cricket helped me develop as a player greatly," AFP quoted Symonds as saying. "The best way to learn how to play cricket is in a match situation and playing county cricket really helped me out.

"You can be hitting it well in the nets, and that gives you confidence, but the only way you know where you are is by playing cricket. The opportunity is there for most of our cricketers, depending on availability, to play for the counties." The chances have certainly been taken: 11 of the 14-man squad for the Champions Trophy have played county cricket.

Symonds was hopeful of a good showing in the million-dollar tournament. "There is a lot at stake here and the boys are a bit embarrassed that we have not achieved anything in this competition. But we are going to give this one a good blast and hopefully achieve that."

He was guarded about facing New Zealand, whom he said Australia have "had some great games with", and was cautious about the motley crew from the USA. "The United States will have a few bring-ins so they will have some good players there, some very capable cricketers and it is not a game to be taken lightly. We expect to win but we still have to go out there and play."

The Champions Trophy begins on September 10, and Australia begin their campaign on the 13th, against the USA, before playing New Zealand three days later.