SYDNEY - Australian cricket captain Ricky Ponting has brushed aside concerns over the omission of Andrew Symonds from this year's Ashes touring party.
The long-time backer of the wayward star said he believed that Australia had the talent in the squad to retain the Ashes on English soil without Symonds.
"I can't personally be disappointed and we both know how good a player Andrew can be, but the facts are that he went out of the side for reasons last year," Ponting said.
"Opportunities were given to others and the others that have come into those positions have played exceptionally well and played well enough to keep Andrew out of the squad.
"That is as simple and as difficult as it actually needs to be."
Symonds is playing for the Deccan Chargers in the Indian Premier League in South Africa.
"Look, he will be disappointed but I have a squad of 16 players to take to England [and] I am very confident that we can play a level of cricket that is going to be good enough to win the series," Ponting said.
Chief selector Andrew Hilditch said Shane Watson had edged Symonds out while allrounder Andrew McDonald maintained his place in the testset-up.
Watson has been chosen subject to fitness after sustaining a minor groin injury in the limited-over series against Pakistan but Hilditch fully expected him to take his place.
The five-test series starts with the first test in Cardiff from July 8.
The squad includes off-spinner Nathan Hauritz as the sole spinner while South Australian Graham Manou was chosen as the back-up wicketkeeper to custodian Brad Haddin.
Experienced new-ball duo Brett Lee and Stuart Clark were selected after making their long-awaited return from injuries with the white ball in the past month.
Their inclusion in a five-man pace battery - along with incumbents Mitchell Johnson, Peter Siddle and Ben Hilfenhaus - meant left-armer Doug Bollinger missed out.
All-round option Watson, who has not bowled in match conditions for almost six months, doubles as the reserve batsman, keeping Victorian run-machine Brad Hodge out of the touring party.
- AAP
Cricket: No Symonds but captain confident of Ashes talent
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