Cricket:Australia all-rounder Andrew Symonds has been sent home from the World Twenty20 tournament in England for disciplinary reasons, Cricket Australia (CA) said today.
Cricket Australia chief executive James Sutherland confirmed Symonds would play no part in the tournament, which begins tomorrow. Australia play their first match on Saturday, when they take on West Indies, with Cameron White having been named as his replacement.
Symonds was sent home by team management earlier for an “alcohol-related” breach of discipline.
Sutherland said from Melbourne: “He will come home this evening. The decision has been made due to Andrew, over the last 24-48 hours, breaking a number of team rules.
“In isolation the breaches that I am talking about are not serious, but in the scheme of things, in the scheme of history, they are enough for it to be the final straw.
“I am disappointed in Andrew and also disappointed for Andrew. It’s alcohol related and other issues related to team rules,” Sutherland added.
“It’s about Cricket Australia taking responsibility for its employees. We understand Andrew has had his share of issues and it’s a constant balancing act but today it has tipped too far.
“The decision was made by the Cricket Australia board tonight following recommendation from management.
“The recommendation from management was made following recommendation from the leadership group, who were unanimous in recommending this course of action.”
Sutherland confirmed Cricket Australia would continue to stand by the player.
“Absolutely we will continue to support Andrew in his rehabilitation and whatever other support he needs from us,” he added.
Having only recently been included in Australia’s 25-man contracted squad, Sutherland also confirmed the new deal is now being reassessed.
Four years ago Symonds was banned from the Australia team for two matches for turning up for a one-day international against Bangladesh in Cardiff drunk. The team went on to suffer a shock defeat.
Having fought back to establish himself as a regular member of both the Test and ODI teams, Symonds’ career hit the crossroads again just over nine months ago when he was sent home from Darwin for going fishing instead of attending a team meeting.
After missing the October tour of India, Symonds was recalled to the Australia team for the Test series against New Zealand but again found himself in hot water after an altercation with a fan at a Brisbane pub.
Cleared of any wrongdoing in that instance, Symonds missed the latter stages of the Australian summer with a knee injury that required surgery and, while he was on the comeback trail, he was again disciplined by CA.
Overlooked for Ashes selection last month, Symonds was nonetheless chosen in the World Twenty20 squad but, having been threatened by Sutherland with having his contract torn up if he slipped up again, his playing future now looks bleak.
Meanwhile, Ireland lost to South Africa by 31 runs at Southgate today in their final warm-up game.
Ireland’s bowlers had no answer to the power of South African skipper Graeme Smith and Jacques Kallis as they built a solid base for a total of 163 for four in their 20 overs.
Both retired after making half-centuries, Smith after clubbing 63 from 41 balls, while Kallis made 57 off 40 before heading for the pavilion.
Ireland’s bowlers did make some inroads after their departure, Peter Connell taking two wickets for 25, while spinner Regan West bowled a tidy spell of one for 20 off his four overs.
Niall O’Brien was the star of Ireland’s replay, but a lack of decent partnerships hindered their chances of chasing down the hefty total.
O’Brien departed with four balls remaining, his 62 coming off 52 deliveries.
Ireland open their campaign proper next Monday when they take on Bangladesh at Trent Bridge.
WORLD TWENTY20 WARM-UP
At Southgate: South Africa 163-4(20 ovs) (G Smith 63 ret, J Kallis 57 ret; P Connell 2-35),
Ireland 132-6(20 ovs) (N O'Brien 62, J Bray 17, A White 16no; JP Duminy 3-15, R Peterson 2-30).
South Africa won by 31 runs