Allrounder Andrew Symonds has been left out of Australia's 15-man squad for a four-test cricket tour of India.
Selection committee chairman Andrew Hilditch said Friday that Symonds, sent home during the limited-overs series against Bangladesh last month for opting to go fishing instead of attending a team meeting, is working through some personal matters.
"Andrew Symonds was stood down for disciplinary reasons in Darwin and is now going through a process managed by Cricket Australia designed to give him time to assess whether he is fully committed to all of the things needed for a cricketer to be a member of the world's No. 1 team," Hilditch said.
"Cricket Australia has told us that selectors will be advised once Andrew can be considered again for selection. We hope we can look forward to that advice in due course because as we all know, a fit and fully committed Andrew Symonds can be a world beater."
Symonds' fellow Queensland allrounder Shane Watson was included in the touring squad as his replacement. Although Symonds middle-order clout with the bat and his ability to switch between off-spin and medium pace will be missed by the Australians.
Bryce McGain was named in the side and could become Australia's frontline test spinner at the age of 36.
Hilditch said he expects skipper Ricky Ponting (wrist) and Matthew Hayden (Achilles) to have recovered from their respective injuries for the tour which begins Oct. 9 in Bangalore. The remaining tests will be played in Mohali, New Delhi and Nagpur.
Both missed the limited-overs series against Bangladesh, when stand-in skipper Michael Clarke led Australia to three straight wins.
Other surprises in the squad were Tasmania spinner Jason Krejza and Victoria state paceman Peter Siddle.
"We have selected two internationally inexperienced spinners (McGain and Krejza) but we feel they are the right kind of spinners for the conditions and have faith they will both do very well when given opportunities," Hilditch said.
"Bryce McGain was the standout leg-spinner at interstate level last year and we think he is really well suited to the Indian conditions and bowling plans. His story is a great example of how those who perform at interstate level will be rewarded.
"Bryce suffered a minor strain to his right shoulder in India and has been selected for this tour subject to fitness but we are very hopeful of him being fully fit in the near future. Jason Krejza had a good season for Tasmania last year but is a selection very much for Indian conditions."
Fast bowler Brett Lee, who has played 68 tests for Australia, including eight for five wins and two draws against India, is in the side and will play his first test on Indian soil.
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Australia: Ricky Ponting (captain), Michael Clarke (vice captain), Doug Bollinger, Stuart Clark, Brad Haddin, Matthew Hayden, Michael Hussey, Phil Jaques, Mitchell Johnson, Simon Katich, Jason Krejza, Brett Lee, Bryce McGain, Peter Siddle, Shane Watson.
