Date:02/09/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/09/02/stories/2008090261112000.htm

Sport - Cricket

Symonds mulls quitting

Melbourne: Disillusioned Australian all-rounder Andrew Symonds is mulling quitting international cricket after he was sent home by the Cricket Australia for going on a ‘fishing trip’ instead of attending a compulsory team meeting last week.

“I have been asked to think about what is important to me and I will take this time to do that,” Symonds was quoted as saying by the Courier Mail on Monday.

“I would ask that during this time, people respect my privacy and that of my friends and family,” he said.

“I would like to say thanks for the many messages of support I have received over the past day or so,” he added.

The 33-year-old player’s decision would be of a great significance to the Australians as their team is set to tour India in October and the final squad would be picked in the next two weeks.

Australia’s stand-in skipper Michael Clarke has questioned Symonds’ commitment and claimed he needed time away from the game to get his act together.

“The main concern for us is Andrew’s commitment to playing for this team,” Clarke said. — PTI