Australia team stronger with Symonds playing - Hayden 12 Nov, 2008 © AFP
The Australian cricket team is a stronger force with wayward allrounder Andrew Symonds in the line-up, senior batsman Matthew Hayden said Wednesday. Hayden said his close friend and fishing partner Symonds will be welcomed back with "open arms" by Australian teammates keen to forgive and forget. Symonds makes a comeback in Friday's Twenty20 exhibition match in Brisbane and there is speculation that he may also be ushered back into the Test squad shortly. Australia's selection panel is preparing to choose their team for next week's first Test against New Zealand in Brisbane, with the match-winning all-rounder in the mix. Hayden is advocating an immediate return for his fellow Queenslander. "I'm going to be incredibly biased and say I want to have Symo back in the side" as soon as possible, Hayden told reporters upon his arrival home from Australia's failed tour to India. "I think as we've said all along, an Australian side with Andrew Symonds in it is a better side. "He's a great team man and one I love, and have missed, playing cricket with for the last eight weeks. "If Roy feels he's in a position to play cricket for Australia, which I'm certain he is, then good luck. It will be open arms from this dressing room door, I tell you." Symonds has not played for Australia since being sent home from the Darwin one-day series against Bangladesh in early September after missing a team meeting to go fishing. It was the last in a number of incidents which disturbed team management and teammates, forcing him to undertake a Cricket Australia rehabilitation programme. With the programme now completed, Symonds was selected in the Australian side to meet the Adam Gilchrist-led All Stars in the Twenty20 match at the Gabba. | 
