Match-winning all-rounder Andrew Symonds is back in from the cold as Australian cricket prepares to confront one of its most challenging periods of the modern era.
Symonds has been on the outer since opting to go on a fishing trip instead of attending a team meeting during the winter series against Bangladesh in Darwin, but returns to the Australian squad for next week's first 3 Mobile Test against New Zealand at the Gabba despite modest figures in state cricket.
The Queenslander, who replaces Cameron White in the squad that just returned from India, has undergone counselling in a bid to clear his mind and regain his hunger for cricket, declaring himself ready to resume his international career.
He is set to fight it out with fellow all-rounder Shane Watson for the No.6 spot against the Kiwis.
"Cricket Australia and Andrew and the leadership group had some issues and we were told late last week that he was again available for selection having gone through the procedures they wanted to go through," chairman of selectors Andrew Hilditch said after announcing the 13-man squad on Thursday.
"I think Andrew's come out of it a better person and I think we've all learned a lot."
"As far as the cricketing public is concerned, it's obviously very exciting (to have him back)."
Hilditch admitted Symonds had been rewarded for past performances but denied his selection was a gamble.
"We're selecting a great player. We don't think he had anything to prove," Hilditch said.
"I thought he was exceptional in Australia last year under some difficult circumstances."
"We thought he played really well in the West Indies Test series."
"He would've liked to have got more runs (in his recent stint at state level) and I would've liked him to get more runs but he doesn't need to prove anything."
"If he gets his chance I'm sure he'll seize it."
Asked if both Watson and Symonds could play together, Hilditch responded: "We really haven't made that decision. Obviously you can."
"We were really happy with Shane Watson in India. He's got to cement a spot in the top six - you can't be bits and pieces."
"Shane we see as a top-six batter (and) doing some valuable bowling for us."
"He certainly deserves to be in the squad; whether they both play together we'll decide up there (at the Gabba)."
With Symonds replacing White in the squad, and batsman Shaun Marsh also not being retained after flying to the subcontinent when Phil Jaques was sent home, Victorian fast bowler Peter Siddle has retained his place.
"Obviously it will be disappointing for Cameron White to miss selection after playing four Tests in India. With our return to Australia, however, only one specialist spinner has been named in the squad," Hilditch added.
Meanwhile, doubts remain over top-order batsman Michael Clarke who is suffering from a virus and has withdrawn from Friday night's Twenty20 exhibition match against the All Stars in Brisbane.
Paceman Brett Lee is also ill and has undergone blood tests but is expected to be passed fit.
However, spinner Jason Krejza, who took 12 wickets on debut in the fourth Test against India, is almost certain to play in Brisbane.
"Jason Krejza richly deserves to retain his place in the side after such an outstanding debut in Nagpur. It will now be a significant challenge for him to adapt back to Australian conditions and continue his development," Hilditch added.
Hilditch has earmarked the next 12 months as vital to Australia's plans of holding onto its mantle as the world's premier side.
"I'm treating it a bit like 2005 (when) we got absolutely hammered by the Poms," he said.
"They beat us convincingly in lots of areas and we learnt a lot and we went on and got better."
"You could argue it was close (in India) but when you really sit back you've got to say they outplayed us in nearly every aspect of the game."
"We've got to learn and move on."
"We see this as a very important time for Australian cricket."
"The first short-term goal is to return to the winning circle against New Zealand."
"As importantly, and in our foremost thinking, is then being at our competitive best when we play South Africa away and at home and then the Ashes."
He added: "At the end of what will still be further change over the next couple of years - in three to four years' time we need to emerge out of that still at or very close to the top of world cricket."
"We've got some great young talent coming through and we think we're well positioned, but the next 12 months are going to be very challenging and we'll need to be at our very best."
Australian squad for the first Test:
Ricky Ponting (c), Michael Clarke (v-c), Stuart Clark, Brad Haddin, Matthew Hayden, Michael Hussey, Mitchell Johnson, Simon Katich, Jason Krejza, Brett Lee, Peter Siddle, Andrew Symonds, Shane Watson