Symonds gets ICC nod for World Cup selection

Sydney, Feb 7 (UNI) Andrew Symonds is certain to be included in Australia's 15-member World Cup squad after the ICC gave approval for the all-rounder to be replaced in case he fails to recover from his shoulder injury in time for the mega-event starting next month in the West Indies.

All the participating teams are required to submit their final teams for the tournament by February 13 and Australia found themselves in a spot of bother when Symonds tore a bicep muscle during the on-going tri-series against England and New Zealand.

The all-rounder's injury threatened to rule him out of the World Cup but the latest ICC ruling has revived his chances.

Quoting The ICC's general manager of cricket Dave Richardson, the Ausralian Associated Press reported that Symonds ''would be replaceable''.

Meanwhile, Aussie skipper Ricky Ponting said he was keen to have the big-hitting all-rounder in the squad as his inclusion was crucial to the defending champions' chances at the event.

''Absolutely. If it works out the way that we think it will ...

the doctors have basically said six or seven weeks and he should be right to start playing again then,'' he said.

''That sort of period comes at a really crucial time in the middle of the World Cup there so to have him around and playing those games would be great for us. He's such an important player for us and I know how much he wants to be at the World Cup as well, so we've got a lot of thinking to do to see if we pick him in the squad to take over to the West Indies,'' he added.

UNI