Team-mates pleased Symonds is back

Andrew Symonds has been assured by his team-mates that he will be warmly welcomed when he returns to the Australian side for Friday's Twenty20 match against an All-Stars outfit. It will be the first time Symonds has rejoined his international colleagues after he was sent home from the ODI series in Darwin in August due to concerns about his attitude.

Ricky Ponting will be rested for the Gabba game but he said he was certain Symonds would be readily accepted by his team-mates having completed his welfare programme. "The Twenty20 game in Brisbane on Friday is a perfect way and opportunity for him to come back into the Australian team," Ponting said on his return from India.

"Speaking to him the other night, he's going to sit in the room and he's going to almost be like a guy that's been picked for the first time again. He's going to sit back and wait and see what sort of reception comes his way which I'm pretty sure is going to be very positive from all of us."

The inclusion of Symonds for the one-off Twenty20 game opens the door for him to potentially return to the Test team as well. The squad for the opening Test against New Zealand will likely be named later this week and, following Australia's 2-0 loss in India, there is a chance the selectors will rush him straight back in.

"He's a great bloke and a great guy to have around the dressing room and particularly when things are tough," Michael Hussey said. "It's important to have great characters and it's important to have great characters like Andrew Symonds around the team, and as I said particularly when things are tough."

Matthew Hayden, one of Symonds' closest friends in the team, said he was "incredibly biased" but he wanted Symonds back in the side as soon as possible. "As we've said all along, an Australian side with Andrew Symonds in it is a better side," Hayden said.

"He's a great team man and one I love, and have missed, playing cricket with for the last eight weeks. If Roy feels he's in a position to play cricket for Australia, which I'm certain he is, then good luck. It will be open arms from this dressing room door I tell you."