The Australian cricket captain Ricky Ponting is convinced a return to international cricket is still a major priority for the troubled all-rounder Andrew Symonds.
Cricket Australia has ruled Symonds unavailable for selection for the upcoming tour of South Africa while he undergoes further rehabilitation and counselling.
The final straw for the CA board came when he described New Zealand wicketkeeper Brendon McCullum as a "piece of shit" in a radio interview, a misdemeanour he was fined over $4,000 for.
Throughout a troubled year, Ponting had remained a strong supporter of Symonds and the value he brought to the Australian team.
He says everything Symonds has said is obviously pretty positive about wanting to represent Australia again as much as he can.
Ponting says the ball is back in his court now and with a couple of months until they return from South Africa, hopefully everything progresses during that time.
