Belligerent Aussie star dropped from squad
Thu, September 18 2008
Symonds and vice-captain Michael Clarke were cricket’s most effective offside fielding team and got on well socially, but things soured of late, reports The Australian.
The pair allegedly had a blow-up in a hotel bar in the West Indies. Clarke, the team’s vice-captain and one of the more dedicated cricketers on or off the field, chipped Symonds one night when he found him drinking in the bar with former West Indies great Brian Lara.
He is said to have suggested that Symonds had better be in good shape to take the field the next day, a suggestion not taken in good humour.
Symonds blew up and the pair had a heated argument. They later patched things up, but relations have become strained again with Clarke leading the charge to have the belligerent all-rounder sent home from Darwin last month and placed on notice about his cricketing future.
The Australian team has been concerned about Symonds for some time, but things have grown worse. Missing a team meeting for a fishing expedition was the last straw.
When disciplined by his peers, Symonds showed no contrition.
“I have had some time to reflect on the events that took place in Darwin,” Symonds said a few days after his ejection. “I would like to say thanks for the many messages of support that I have received over the past day or so. I appreciate your best wishes. I’ve been asked to think about what is important to me and I will take this time to do that.”
No matter how hard you read his prepared statement you will find no apologies, expressions of regret or acknowledgment that he may have erred. He did, however, suggest that it would be nice if he was left alone.
Symonds was sent away to work through a “process” before being readmitted to the side but has shown little interest in it.
Cricket Australia has refused to spell out what those processes are, suggesting it is a welfare issue, but Symonds is believed to have been instructed to seek psychological help and to keep fit, presumably by training with Queensland. There was little sign of him doing either, although he has been put in contact with a psychologist with whom he has dealt before.
Symonds was on holiday with his parents and girlfriend and returned last week. He is expected to show up at Queensland training next week.
Instead of playing four Tests in India, Symonds will have to concentrate on state cricket and his mental state. If he can manage both he might make it back for the summer.
He does not, it appears, respond well to criticism or disciplinary action and has complained he is being singled out when others cross the line too.
Symonds’ reaction to being fined during the recent West Indies tour grated with team-mates, too.
