ANDREW SYMONDS has received the strong backing of Ricky Ponting ahead of the top-of-the-table clash with South Africa, and could again be selected alongside fellow all-rounder Shane Watson for the first Test at the WACA Ground on December 17.

Watson and Jason Krejza seem set to resume their selection battle from Brisbane, which continued until moments before the coin toss. On that occasion, a green-tinged Gabba wicket tipped the scales in Watson's favour, and pitch conditions will again go far to determining the identity of Australia's fourth bowler.

Ponting will contact Perth curator Cameron Sutherland well before the first Test to uncover whether he plans to use an old strip or one of the WACA Ground's recently relayed pitches. The latter wickets have provided pace and bounce for domestic fast bowlers all season, and if Sutherland indeed intends to use a relayed surface for the match against South Africa, Krejza may be facing a third consecutive Test as Australia's unlucky loser. Watson, meanwhile, has certainly done his cause no harm with an eight-wicket Sheffield Shield performance against South Australia this week.

"We got duped a bit there last year," Ponting said. "We had heard so much about the WACA being back to its fast and bouncy best, and [India] played us on one of the wickets that hadn't been relaid and we went in with four fast bowlers.

"That brought us undone a bit, but I think whenever you have got two of the better teams in the world going head to head in conditions that are going to suit both fast-bowling attacks and the batting attacks as well, it is a great place to start that series. We are really excited about what lies ahead in the next month.

"A lot depends on which wicket we use. If it is one of the relaid ones … there would have to be some consideration given to playing a line-up similar to Brisbane. Watto has had a great game up in Brisbane this week for Queensland. He could obviously slot back into the side as well if we feel conditions are going to suit."