cricket

Australia have recalled all-rounder Andrew Symonds in a 13-man squad for the first Test against New Zealand.

Symonds was sent home from Australia's series against Bangladesh in August for skipping a team meeting to go fishing.

"Andrew has successfully completed the prescribed plan to enable us consider him for selection," said Australia's chief selector Andrew Hilditch.

The all-rounder will play in Australia's Twenty20 challenge match against an All-Star XI on Friday.

Australia captain Ricky Ponting has admitted his side were outplayed as India clinched a 2-0 series win with victory in the final Test in Nagpur.

The tourists were bowled for 209 on the final day as they slipped to a 172-run loss, condemning them to their first series defeat since the 2005 Ashes.

And Ponting, who was docked 20% of his match fee for a slow over rate, conceded India deserved their win.

"We weren't good enough in this game - it was a fair result," he said.

Jacob Oram has moved to the top of the Reliance Mobile ICC Player Rankings for ODI all-rounders.The 30-year-old from Palmerston North scored 135 runs in the three matches at an average of 67.50 and took four wickets at an equally impressive average of 12.50 and the niggardly economy-rate of just 2.38.
In the process he has gained two places in the latest rankings, overtaking Andrew Flintoff of England and Pakistan’s Shoaib Malik to register the highest rating of his career to date.

Australian player Bret Lee waves after his arrival in Jaipur. Australia will play a four-Test series, beginning with the first Test in Bangalore from October 9.

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