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Andrew Symonds

Andrew Symonds Photo © Paul McGregor 1999

There is little doubt that Andrew Symonds is one of the most promising young cricketers in the world today. The 24-year-old Australian has in a matter of a few one day games has shown that he has all the qualities required for making it big at the international level. His all round qualities make him an exciting player, a cricketer dynamic enough to win matches either with bat or ball - or both.

Birmingham born Symonds came to Queensland at an early age and made his first class debut for them as a teenager in 1994-95. His impact was immediate and soon he was not only making his mark on the Australian scene but also was gracing the fields in the land of his birth. Over the last few years, his ubiquitous qualities have meant a lot to first, Kent and then Gloucestershire.

Symonds is a hard hitting right handed middle order batsman and a right arm bowler who can bowl both medium pace and fastish off breaks. His ability to turn the match in a short time, either by a few lusty blows or by a couple of quick wickets makes him an asset to any side and a danger to the opposition.

Symonds made his ODI debut against Pakistan at Lahore last year. But during the current season he has really been making waves, winning games for Australia in the Aiwa Cup in Sri Lanka and doing the star turn for Australia A in the America's Challenge Cup in Los Angeles. There is little doubt that in this gifted lad, Australia have a potential superstar, bound to make a major impact on world cricket in the new millennium.