Symonds to captain Queensland

Andrew Symonds has been handed extra responsibility as he aims to work his way back to international cricket, having been named captain of Queensland for a Twenty20 match against the Kolkata Knight Riders. Symonds will be handed the reins for a game in Brisbane on Tuesday even though the Bulls' full-time leader Chris Simpson will also play.

Trevor Barsby, the Queensland coach, said the practice games provided the team - and Symonds - the opportunity to experiment. "These matches against the Knight Riders are a good chance for us to have Andrew Symonds test the water as captain and lead by example on the field," Barsby said.

Symonds made his return to state cricket on the weekend, when he turned out for the Bulls in two Twenty20 fixtures against the Knight Riders. He struggled to have an impact with the bat and scored 2 and 1 in the back-to-back games.

However, Symonds' bowling was useful and he finished with figures of 0 for 8 from four overs in one match and 2 for 24 from three overs in the other. The series of practice matches has allowed Symonds to ease back into cricket following his axing from the Australia squad in Darwin.