Symonds' career looked to be on the skids back in February when he publicly denigrated the Australian selectors' policy of rotating players, saying it made them "jumpy" and had them always "looking over their shoulders".

He went on to say he was "not that interested" in the one-day tour of South Africa the following month and was subsequently left out of the touring party.

But the 27-year-old now has a chance to push his claim for next year's World Cup with selectors adding him to the 14-man squad for the triangular series against Pakistan and Kenya. The Australian Cricket Board's medical staff yesterday recommended that Lehmann miss the series in order for his injury, sustained in the final match of his stint with English county side Yorkshire, to fully heal.

Lehmann is expected to return to the national side for next month's International Cricket Council's Champions Trophy, subject to medical clearance.

The failure of both Ian Harvey and Shane Watson to make the all-rounder position in the national team their own this year has allowed Symonds the opportunity ahead of the World Cup starting in February in South Africa.

But Symonds will have to impress quickly with Australia only playing a maximum of five matches in the African tournament.