ANDREW SYMONDS will try to adopt a "free-spirit" attitude to his Ashes debut in an attempt to finally establish a Test career he believed was already behind him.
The powerful all-rounder, 31, appears to have all the attributes to become a key part of Australia's Test line-up but has so far struggled to make the grade at that level.
However, handed another opportunity following the shock retirement of Damien Martyn, the Queenslander is now determined to grasp the opportunity to become the player Australia have been looking for to balance their side.
"The hype and build-up to Test cricket is much more intense and that's probably where I went wrong in the past," said Symonds, who played the last of his 10 Tests last year and was dropped after averaging just 19.
"I've been sucked into that vacuum. This time I've just got to go and enjoy myself at training and not be too intense.
"Just this morning the coach came to me and said he wanted me to play freely and have a free-spirit attitude towards this.
"He doesn't want me to worry about the results because they will look after themselves if I go out there and enjoy myself."
Symonds has long been a key member of Australia's one-day line-up and has played 153 matches in that format, but despite an Andrew Flintoff-like ability for big-hitting as well as being capable of bowling seam or off-spin, he has never really established himself in the Test side.
Australia would have liked Shane Watson in his position, but a niggling hamstring injury has kept him out of the first three Tests and he is now setting his sights on a return at Melbourne on Boxing Day.
Before then Symonds, who was born in Birmingham has an opportunity to cement his place in Australia's line-up with an all-round display against the country of his birth at the WACA later this week.
"I'm determined to be a little more carefree," said Symonds, who rejected an opportunity to play for England A over 10 years ago to ensure he qualified for Australia.
"Last year I probably tried a little too hard at times and I could end up clamming up for the wrong reasons so I'll have to be careful how I approach it."
