Australia name Lee, Symonds And Watson in Squad for Pak series

Australia have announced their team for the one day internationals to be played in Dubai and the UAE against Pakistan and it has three names who are set to make a comeback, on a cautionary note.

lee signs

Brett Lee and Shane Watson have been out of the game for nearly five months through injury. While the stress fractures in Watson's back will mean he will perhaps play more of the role of the batsman and get back into bowling in full gear once his rehabilitation can be considered complete.

Brett Lee had a rather indifferent tour to India followed by a dispirited effort against South Africa in the first two Tests before he underwent surgery for his ankle. He is now in a hurry to make a comeback and his eagerness has forced the selectors' hand to name him in the fourteen man squad even though his actual match fitness is slated to be addressed only before the series actually gets underway.

Another man who will be seen in Australian colours after injury as well as further mental rehabilitation is Andrew Symonds. Symonds missed the latter half of South Africa's tour to Australia through knee injury that required surgery while also completing his rehabilitation programme for his off field distractions that resulted from his addiction for alcohol.

If these players can actually lend themselves to the final eleven and perform like they have in the past, the Australian team will be greatly bolstered. This is because captain Ricky Ponting is set to miss the series with a view to resting up ahead of the all important Ashes battle but before that the ICC World Twenty20 championships also in the UK.

Mitchell Johnson is an absentee on this list as is Michael Hussey who pulled out of the IPL like Ponting for rest and a gruelling Australian schedule.

The squad for the series against Pakistan:

Michael Clarke, Brad Haddin, Nathan Bracken, Callum Ferguson, Brett Geeves, Nathan Hauritz, Ben Hilfenhaus, James Hopes, David Hussey, Ben Laughlin, Brett Lee, Shaun Marsh, Andrew Symonds, Shane Watson.

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