Jaques, Symonds, Clark eye comebacks

Australian trio Phil Jaques, Andrew Symonds and Stuart Clark are all set to make their domestic returns this week for their respective states. Jaques (back), Symonds (knee) and Clark (elbow) all made their grade comebacks for clubs in Sydney and Brisbane.

Jaques was trapped in front for 5 against former test spin bowler Greg Matthews, who has been talking himself up recently for the role of Australian spinner. The 49 year old retired off spinner is 20 years older than Jaques and is turning 50 later this year.

Symonds was dismissed for 7 which adds to his poor performances, scoring 5, 5, 26 and 0 for Queensland, despite this gaining a recall to the Australian team against New Zealand. He proceeded to score 26, 20 and 0 to go with his 1 wicket for 33 runs. He made 57 and 37 against South Africa in the first test playing with pain, and decided to go under the knife after the game.

Clark took 4-29 off 14 over’s against Jaques team, proving he is definitely ready to tour South Africa. He took 20 wickets in 3 tests, including match figures of 9/89 in his debut earning him the man of the match award. He went on to claim man of the series.

The 3 will be making their returns on the same day, the 30th of January, for New South Wales (Newcastle) and Queensland (Brisbane). Symonds will be batting at 4 and not bowling from reports, concentrating on becoming a specialist batsman. Queensland chief selector Ray Phillips identified Symonds has struggled up the order against a swinging ball, naming Lee Carseldine, who averaged 100 in the KFC Big Bash competition as an option to bat 4. But Phillips and Coach Trevor Barsby said he will remain at 4. He supposedly attended a net session today ahead of Friday’s game.

The Queensland squad is:
Chris Simpson (captain), Ryan Broad, Lee Carseldine, Ryan Harris, Chris Hartley, Nick Kruger, Martin Love, Ashley Noffke, Nathan Reardon, Chris Swan, Andrew Symonds, Scott Walter

Ryan Harris has been named pending on Nathan Bracken’s fitness for the 5th One Day International against South Africa. If he is not available 19 year old Scott Walter will be making his debut after impressing in his second XI debut taking 5 wickets against the Tasmanian second XI. Ashley Noffke is also returning from injury.

The New South Wales squad is:
Simon Katich (captain), Phil Jaques, Phillip Hughes, Dominic Thornely, Peter Forrest, Ben Rohrer, Daniel Smith (wk), Beau Casson, Nathan Hauritz, Stuart Clark, Mark Cameron, Doug Bollinger.

Phil Jaques and Hughes are both in contention for selection for the South African tour, and captain Simon Katich has moved himself down the order to let the two open in their ‘bat off’ for national selection. Off spinner Nathan Hauritz will also be keen for wickets because Bryce McGain, who was first choice spinner for the Indian tour before his injury needed surgery, is back in action and looking to regain his spot in the side as well.

Fans will be keeping a close eye on both games to see the stars returning and mixing it the best from around the country.

NOTE: This article was posted on Cricbuzz here.