Ponting

CANBERRA, Australia (AP):

AUSTRALIA CAPTAIN Ricky Ponting believes discarded allrounder Andrew Symonds is displaying the right attitude in his effort to return to international cricket.

Symonds was expelled from Australia's squad during the limited-overs series against Bangladesh last month for skipping a team meeting to go fishing. He hasn't played since.

"I actually think there were some really positive signs over the last couple of days with Andrew," Ponting said yesterday after a quick game of courtyard cricket with Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd.

Fronted media

"He's actually fronted the media and admitted that there's some room for improvement in certain parts of his life."

Symonds, 33, who was given time off for counselling and to ponder his cricket future, admitted on Tuesday that he'd been irresponsible and would commit himself to regaining his place in the Australian team.

It was too late to earn selection for Australia's four-Test tour of India - the team leaves Sunday - but could mean a recall for series later in the year against New Zealand and South Africa.

Ponting said Symonds' ability to bowl off-spin or medium pace, and his heavy hitting in the middle order, would be missed in India.

A terrific player

"I'd love to have him back in the side sooner rather than later," Ponting said. "He's a terrific player and his Test record and one-day record, over the past couple of years for Australia, has been outstanding.

"Hopefully, for him as a person, if he can get things sorted out, then we'll have him back in the team."

Ponting, who is coming back from a wrist operation, and opener Matthew Hayden, returning from leg injuries, attended Australia's Parliament yesterday.

As well as listening to debate between politicians in the House of Representatives, the captain faced a few deliveries from Rudd in the Prime Minister's courtyard.

Ponting said while the PM wouldn't solve Australia's problem of a lack of experienced spin bowlers, the trip to Parliament House was beneficial in other ways.

"We actually learnt a bit," Ponting said. "There's always a few questions asked of us about sledging on the field - we learnt a little bit in question time today, about how to handle it and how to have some handy comebacks at different times."