Symonds omitted, Brett Lee and Watson included in Ashes squad

All rounder Shane Watson was preferred over controversial Andrew Symonds in the 16-man Australian squad for the Ashes series against England.

All rounder Shane Watson was on Wednesday preferred over controversial Andrew Symonds in the 16-man Australian squad for the Ashes series against England.

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Cricket Australia's National Selection Panel (NSP), headed by Andrew Hilditch, also recalled Brett Lee and Stuart Clark, making it a five-strong pace battery.

Symonds, playing IPL-II in South Africa, had played in the one-day series against Pakistan in Abu Dhabi after spending a very long time out of the team due to many reasons including injuries and off-field antics.

The selectors announced the squad with 50 days to go for the first Test, to be played in Cardiff.

All-rounders Marcus North and Andrew McDonlad have also been included in the squad.

Hilditch said McDonald has been rewarded for his consistent good showing and though Watson has been selected, his fitness would be under the scanner.

"Shane Watson has been named in the squad subject to fitness, but that is not expected to be a serious issue as he is recovering from a very mild groin strain at present and is expected to be fully fit for the ICC World Twenty20 in the UK and the commencement of the Ashes," Hilditch said.