Andrew Symonds

Profile:

While also a handy medium pace and off spin bowler and dynamic fieldsman, Andrew Symonds is best known as one of the most powerful hitters of the ball in world cricket. This is a reputation he has carried ever since he set a world record, while playing for Gloucestershire in 1995, for the most number of sixes in both a first-class innings (16) and a first-class match (20). Having been born in England (his family moved to Australia when he was aged two), Symonds faced the unusual dilemma early in his career of choosing whether a potential future at international level rested with England or with Australia. He was presented with the option of accepting a place in an England 'A' team in 1995 but declined, deciding instead that he would prefer to test out his chances of international selection (through his performances with Queensland in domestic competition) in his adopted country. Although he has yet to secure a Test berth, the decision appears to have paid dividends, because the tall right hander has made inroads into the Australian one-day international team over recent years. He did not ultimately make its World Cup squad in 1999, but was called up for the tour of Pakistan and the Wills International Cup series in late 1998 and has appeared in several tournaments since.