Symonds' early comeback ruled out

Sydney, Mar 16 (UNI) Andrew Symonds will not play in Australia's second group match against Netherlands as team physiotherapist Alex Kontouris has refused to give the all-clear to the all- rounder recuperating from a surgery.

Symonds had told Ricky Ponting before Wednesday's 203-run win against Scotland that he was ready for battle just six weeks after surgery to his torn right biceps and the captain was willing to listen to his key player.

But, Kontouris refused to budge in his assessment that the Netherlands game represents a premature gamble.

''We are on target for a week or so. (The Netherlands game) is three days away and he is not going to play in that game,'' Kontouris said.

''The realistic game I am still looking at is South Africa (on March 24). He still has to do all those things such as throw hard. It's going OK but it is not worth the risk.

''That is too much of a risk in my view because he hasn't thrown and he hasn't batted enough,'' Kontouris was quoted as saying by local media.

Symonds, when declared fit, is expected to replace Brad Hodge, who wasted a golden chance to make a mark against Scotland when he was out for 29.

UNI