Date:08/09/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/09/08/stories/2008090857502000.htm

Sport - Cricket

Symonds to get full CA contract amount

Melbourne: Andrew Symonds may have to miss next month’s India tour following the “gone fishing” saga but the volatile Australian all-rounder will still earn as much as any other Cricket Australia contracted player by just cooling off his heels at home.

CA will continue to pay Symonds his retainer regardless of whether he tours India or not, plus match payments for games he won’t play, Sunday Telegraph reported. This means Symonds, who is currently seeking solace in the Gold Coast hinterland after being sent home for missing a team meeting while going fishing in Darwin during Australia’s ODI series against Bangladesh, will earn a cool $2,00,000 for the next three months by not facing a single ball. CA spokesman Peter Young confirmed Symonds would receive his full wage during his time out of the game.

“He’s a contracted player and because he’s going through a rehabilitation programme at the moment, he will get full retainer payment. We’re treating this the same as if a player was injured,” Young said. With Symonds’ base contract with CA worth an estimated USD 500,000, the hard-hitting batsman stands to earn USD 41,666 a month or USD 124,999 for the next three months. — PTI