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General Sports News

Aussies leave out Symonds

Author: Craig Williams
Date: 20/05/2009

All-rounder Andrew Symonds has been left out of Australia's squad for this summer's Ashes series in England.

The 33-year-old is the most notable absentee from the 16-man party, with the Baggy Greens selectors going with Shane Watson and Andrew McDonald as their all-rounders.

Australia are hot favourites with cricket betting experts to retain the Ashes after winning on home soil two years ago.

Fit-again fast bowlers Brett Lee and Stuart Clark are both included, while Nathan Hauritz is the only frontline spinner named in the squad.

Squad: RT Ponting (captain), MJ Clarke, SR Clark, BJ Haddin, NM Hauritz, BW Hilfenhaus, PJ Hughes, MEK Hussey, MG Johnson, SM Katich, B Lee, GA Manou, AB McDonald, MJ North, PM Siddle, SR Watson.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has dismissed rumours linking him with a sensational switch to Real Madrid this summer.

The 59-year-old Frenchman is under contract with the Gunners until the summer of 2011 and insists that he would not leave before that point, despite strong interest being shown by the Spanish giants.

Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has been warned that he needs to be fit for the last game of the domestic season to stand any chance of starting in the Champions League final.

The 30-year-old England centre-back has not played for United since the second leg of their Champions League semi-final win over Arsenal and faces a race against time to be in contention for the Hull City game this weekend.

Ferdinand has been troubled by a calf injury which flared up again during training last week.

Meanwhile, Aston Villa's Bulgarian midfielder Stiliyan Petrov has put pen to paper on a new four-year with the Premier League club.

The 29-year-old joined Villa from Celtic in a 6.5million deal in the summer of 2006 and has gone on to score five goals in 111 appearances for the Midlands club to date.

In Formula One, Ferrari have failed in their bid to stop Formula One's governing body from introducing a controversial spending cap on teams.

The Italian team had already threatened to end their long and illustrious association with the sport should the plan for a 40million budget cap be introduced from next season.

Ferrari were contesting the International Automobile Federation proposal at a court hearing in Paris, but have seen their legal challenge fail following a 60-minute hearing.

In rugby union, Wasps have completed the signings of four new players, with David Lemi, Ben Jacobs, Warren Fury and Chris Whitehead all arriving at Adams Park.

Samoa winger Lemi joins from relegated Bristol, while centre Jacobs has also penned a two-year deal to head to Wasps from Saracens.

Scrum-half Fury rejoins Wasps after a two-year stint with London Irish, while prop forward Whitehead arrives from National League one outfit Coventry.

Former Australia lock Justin Harrison has left Bath with immediate effect.

The 35-year-old has left the club just two days after they launched an investigation following allegations that some of their players were involved in an incident at a London nightclub.

Bath have yet to confirm Harrison's exit, but reports claim that he has left after requesting an early release from his contract.

Meanwhile, Bristol scrum-half Shaun Perry is the latest English player heading to France after agreeing a two-year deal to join Brive.

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