DURBAN, March 9: All-rounder Andrew Symonds will return to the Australian team for the fourth One-day International against South Africa on Friday after recovering from a thigh strain.

Symonds missed the first three contests in the five-match series, which South Africa lead 2-1.

“It’s great for someone like Andrew to be able to come back into the side,” Australian captain Ricky Ponting told newsmen on Thursday.

“He’s a very important member of our team, he gives us more depth in all areas and it’s a handy time in the series for him to be coming back.”

South Africa won the first two matches before Australia pulled one back, and Ponting said his team was confident they could win the series.

“The team prides itself on winning big games and some of our best performances have come in important games,” Ponting said.

“We feel like we’re heading in the right direction.”

Symonds replaces Shane Watson in the side that won by 24 runs in Port Elizabeth on Sunday.

Paceman Mick Lewis comes in for left-arm wrist spinner Brad Hogg.

South African all-rounder Jacques Kallis’s participation in the match was still in doubt even though he has recovered from a tennis elbow.

“He’s come through really well in the last two days,” South African captain Graeme Smith told reporters.

“He’s felt nothing, he’s passed his fitness test and we’ll make a decision soon.”—Reuters