Symonds misses out on Australia's Ashes squad

Controversial all-rounder Andrew Symonds was a notable omission from Australia's squad for this year's Ashes cricket tour to England when it was announced here today.

Selectors named a 16-man squad with three all-rounders u2014 Shane Watson, Andrew McDonald and Marcus North u2014 but there was no room for the 34-year-old Symonds.

Symonds has had a chequered 26-Test career and has not played for Australia since last year's Boxing Day Test against South Africa in Melbourne following a season of injury, poor form and off-field personal problems.

"Selectors have a tough job picking any team and it's obviously hard picking an Ashes squad and unfortunately for Andrew this time there hasn't been room in the 16-man squad for him," skipper Ricky Ponting said at the team announcement.

"He made a reasonable comeback in the one-day team (against Pakistan) in Abu Dhabi and Dubai in the last few weeks and unfortunately he missed out on this selection.

"But I know he'll keep working hard and he'll give himself every opportunity to make his way back into the team in the future."

Chairman of selectors, Andrew Hilditch, said the selection of injury-prone Watson was subject to his recovery from a groin injury.

"I suppose Andrew Symonds and Shane Watson were competing for the same spot, I would class them both as batters who give us quality overs at their best, but on this occasion Shane has been preferred because in the selectors' view he adds great balance to the team," Hilditch said.

"Shane was in extremely good form before his minor injury and in addition he gives us quality pace bowling and he's capable of batting anywhere in the top six, so we think he's a very good selection for the Ashes tour."

Watson said he expected to be bowling in the nets next week after recovering from his latest setback and to be fit and ready by the time the team arrives in England.