By Alec Swann
June 9th 2009 @ 12:44am
Serial offender Symonds just can’t help himself
India's Harbhajan Singh, right, and Australia's Andrew Symonds - AP Photo/Rob Griffith
When a news flash indicated that Australia were to hold a press conference regarding a “player issue,” it wouldn’t have taken Einstein to work out that Andrew Symonds would be at the top of any list of likely suspects.
As a seasoned serial wrong-doer, Symonds has made an unfortunate habit of putting his foot in it, to the point where it has probably cost him his international career.
That the final act was as trivial as an alleged beer in a London bar seems almost apt. Some people just can’t help themsleves.
For all the warnings, for all the knowledge of what they stand to lose, the merest temptation results in capitulation.
The saddest part of it all is that Symonds has signed the death warrant on his Australian career with his own hand.
That he was given so many chances shows the regard in which he was held as a player and that there was a way back if he wanted it.
There is little doubt that England would prefer to face an Australian side without Symonds in it, but his non-selection for the Ashes squad will negate the impact of his demise.
Those that will have been paying attention are the county chairmen because there is every chance that Symonds will soon be plying his trade in our domestic game where he has had such success in the past.
Such a supremely gifted cricketer should still be displaying his wares on some stage.
That it won’t be an international one is the element that makes the whole episode all the more difficult to comprehend.
When Symonds was selected for the the trip to England, somebody somewhere would’ve likened it to drinking at the last chance saloon.
As things have turned out, that old adage couldn’t have been any more ironic or, indeed, appropriate.
It is a blow for Ricky Ponting’s men, but look on the bright side, they could’ve lost to Holland.
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FIsher Price said | June 9th 2009 @ 11:59am | Report comment
Ponting is a car crash of a captain. Discuss.
Sam said | June 9th 2009 @ 12:17pm | Report comment
Here Here. He was fortunate that in his early career he had two of the greatest bowlers of all time to turn to in times of need (Warne and McGrath). Since then he has been exposed tactically time and time again.
His handling of man management issues and his ‘favourites’ have never been a secret either. I for one am so glad Symonds has gone and hope he never comes back. The incident in Brisbane at the Normaby pub should have spelt the end of it. Sure you can go out and have a few beers, but why not stay in your hotel lobby? Why go out and ask for trouble, when you can achieve the same thing closer in surrondings closer to your teammates and friends, rather than out in the general public?
Ponting captains like he is in charge of a Under 18 side. His mentality is basically, do what you want off the field, whatever that may be, just turn up ready to play. He has no regard for anyone in his side except himself, and this constant ‘backing’ of players in public is not because he actually cares about them or there wellbeing (case in point Symo’s battling of alcoholism which he has publically stated) he just wants to win at all costs. Problem is if he goes, in comes Clarke, a loud mouth, moisturising metrosexual git.
Jameswm said | June 9th 2009 @ 12:24pm | Report comment
So Ponting was exposed tactically in Australia last Ashes series?
I agree he lacks creativity and is too prone to favour the incumbents.
As I’ve said all along – Katich should be the test captain. A hard nut, but also a captain with a winning record, albeit at state level. He’d be in the Steve Waugh mould but more creative.
Sam said | June 9th 2009 @ 12:28pm | Report comment
Lacks creativity? He wouldn’t know what it was if it smacked him the face. Standard fields, defensive fields, Ponting is the man at setting these. In the last Ashes series he wasn’t exposed at all, it was a combination of England not having suitable warm up matches/being rubbish and he rode on the emotions and coatails of Warne and McGrath’s last series.
Katich does have a good record and is pretty hard nosed and would probably be a good choice. However brown nose Clarke does look to have been groomed for this position for a long time and it would be hard seeing Hilditch steer away from the time and effort CA have put into him. Its all about favourites in the Aussie team.
Rabbitz said | June 9th 2009 @ 5:17pm | Report comment
With just a little luck the T20WC debacle will see the end of Hilditch & co. Which may lead to Punter being punted from the captaincy and Clarke (M) just punted.
(I can dream can’t i?)
Rabz
westy said | June 9th 2009 @ 10:29pm | Report comment
Saw Symonds having a beer at the Titans v Stgeorge time relaxed and friendly. Good luck to him. Had agreat stint with deccan Chargers and will be their next year. Will also play with QLD. Good on him.
Only left with pious pricks in the Australian cricket team. No more bad boys.
Where would Thommo go after kinghitting that soccer referee and getting banned for life.