07 September 2004	Tuesday	21 Rajab 1425

LONDON, Sept 6: Australian all-rounder Andrew Symonds believes his side have a big advantage going into the ICC Champions Trophy which starts in England on Friday.

Many of the Australian squad have played county cricket in England and Symonds is happy that experience will give his side a unique insight into the conditions the tournament will be played under.

Symonds has had successful stints with Gloucestershire and Kent in and many of the Australian squad, including Glenn McGrath, Michael Clarke, Michael Kasprowicz and Matthew Hayden, have enjoyed equally profitable summers in the English game. And the 29-year-old is certain that knowledge can be put to good use as the Australians try to win one of the few trophies in world cricket that has eluded them. Symonds said: "Playing county cricket helped me develop as a player greatly.

The best way to learn how to play cricket is in a match situation and playing county cricket really helped me out. "You can be hitting it well in the nets, and that gives you confidence, but it the only way you know where you are is by playing cricket.

The opportunity is there for most of our cricketers, depending on availability, to play for the counties." Symonds limbered up for Australias assault on the Champions Trophy by smashing 104 not out from 103 balls as the world champions beat Pakistan by 10 runs at Lords on Saturday.

Australia were in trouble at 109-4 but Symonds well-judged knock, his second One-day International century, gave them the breathing space to close out the win. The Champions Trophy is a huge incentive for this group of players and Symonds admitted his side are slightly red-faced about their failure to win it so far.

"There is a lot at stake here and the boys are a bit embarrassed that we have not achieved anything in this competition. But we are going to give this one a good blast and hopefully achieve that," he said. And there are tough games to come in the Champions Trophy not least against New Zealand who always seem to reserve their best performances for when they come up against their neighbours.

Before that tussle on Sept 16 the Aussies have to get themselves up for a game against the minnows of the United States next Monday, a game where Symonds, if selected, will win his 100th one-day cap.

SYMONDS ADDED: "New Zealand always seem to do better against us and we have had some great games with them. "The United States will have a few bring-ins so they will have some good players there, some very capable cricketers and it is not a game to be taken lightly. We expect to win but we still have to go out there and play."

Wicket-keeper Adam Gilchrist arrived safely in London on Saturday after staying in Australia for the birth of his daughter, Annie Jean. She is the Gilchrists' second child. -AFP