COLOMBO, Feb 29: Australian all-rounder Andrew Symonds believes he is now ready for Test cricket after a prolific one-day series with bat and ball against Sri Lanka.
Symonds, 28, is tipped to make his Test debut later in the tour after being named Man-of-the-Series for his 211 runs and five wickets during the five-match series.
"I feel as ready as ever to play Test cricket if selected," he told reporters after picking up his award on Sunday. "If I was chosen I wouldn't feel underdone or anything and I am ready to accept the challenge if I'm given the chance."
Asked what the secret to his recent success was, he answered: "I just have a good plan working at the moment. The way I have decided to play is coming off for me most of the time."
Symonds, who can bowl off spin and medium pace, is enjoying the opportunity to play on Sri Lanka's slow, turning pitches. "It is a fact that the ball does turn more here," he said. "The ball is coming out of my hand nicely at the moment and the rhythm is good."
Adam Gilchrist, skipper for the day after Ricky Ponting was rested, believes Symonds is bowling so well he could even be considered a frontline bowler for the Test series, which begins March 8. -Reuters
