Andrew Symonds says he is enjoying the challenge of batting with Australia's international newcomers - if only because it gives him a break from thinking about his own game.
The allrounder claimed man-of-the-match honours in Australia's thrilling one-run victory over the West Indies in the fourth one-day international in St Kitts today, taking advantage of the close confines of Warner Park in a stroke-filled 87 off just 78 balls.
Alongside debutant David Hussey (50), Symonds shared in a 127-run partnership to set up Australia's innings of 8-282, and later said he had enjoyed the extra responsibility of being the senior partner while batting in the middle.
"It gives me something to do when I'm batting," Symonds said.
"It takes my own mind off batting a bit, which sometimes can be a good thing for me.
"Dave is quite easy to bat with, he can turn the strike over very easily, he's a good runner between wickets and he's very capable of hitting fours and sixes near the end, so he was actually an ideal man to come in and do that role today."
As with any Symonds knock, today's half-century was an exciting mix of raw power and genuine finesse - highlighted perfectly by two shots off spinner Nikita Miller.
The first saw the big-hitting Queenslander launch a massive straight six onto the roof of the media centre at Warner Park, while the second was a deft reverse sweep, played with the back of the bat, which went racing away to the boundary.
"It's the only way I can play it, I don't have the skills to play it the other way, so I just use the back of my bat," Symonds said of the origins of the unusual shot.
"I've done it in games a few times before."
