Watson best replacement: Ponting

“Him for Symonds is probably the absolutely likely swap at the moment,” Ponting was quoted as saying by The Australian on the eve of the team’s departure to India for the four-match Test series.

Ponting feels Watson’s all-round ability may have helped him win a place in the side even if Symonds is around. “I think he might have played anyway if Symonds was around, just for that flexibility and what his bowling can offer,” the captain said. “I would be surprised if he didn’t play in the opening game.”

It was Watson’s spate of injuries that had opened the door for Symonds to establish himself in the Test side and now Symonds’s sacking for indiscipline has presented Watson the chance to do the same.

Noffke lure for cash

Disillusioned at being ignored for next month’s Test series against India, Australian pacer Ashley Noffke has warned the national selectors that he might take a plunge into cash-rich Indian Twenty20 leagues for the sake of his family.

“I have told ‘Digger’ (national selection chairman Andrew Hilditch) that I am totally disillusioned with the way these selections work. I have to now start to think about where I am placed and how much money I can earn to look after my family. There is the IPL and the ICL on my mind,” Noffke added.