Sport - Cricket

Symonds’s career in jeopardy

Darwin (Australia): An ill-timed fishing trip has cost all-rounder Andrew Symonds his place in Australia’s cricket team for its current limited overs series and jeopardized his future international career, team sources said on Saturday.

Symonds, 33, went fishing instead of attending a compulsory team meeting on Friday ahead of Saturday’s opening match of a three-game one-day series against Bangladesh. He was expelled for the remainder of the series at the recommendation of the Australian team’s leadership group.

Acting Australia captain Michael Clarke said he hoped Symonds could make a return to the Australian team, but emphasized he could only do so if he was willing to conform to team rules.

“It’s so hard to play for this team. In my opinion we are the greatest sporting team in the world, and we have standards,” Clarke said.

“The main concern for us is Andrew’s commitment to playing for this team.

“In my opinion and the rest of the leadership group’s opinion, you need to be committed 100 per cent to all facets of being an international cricketer.”

Clarke, coach Tim Nielsen and Australia captain Ricky Ponting agreed in a telephone conference call that Symonds should be sent away from the team. — Agencies

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