Cricket
'Symonds withdrawal a setback'
2009-02-03 21:25
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Altus Momberg - Die Burger
Cape Town – Cricket Australia’s (CA) decision not to pick Andrew Symonds for the tour of South Africa is a huge setback to Ricky Ponting’s side. South African coach Mickey Arthur said on Tuesday the Aussies would definitely miss Symonds’ experience and batting ability.
“It’s a huge setback. We have a high regard for him, particularly his ability to singlehandedly change the course of a game.”
The first Test in the series against the Aussies starts at the Wanderers in Johannesburg on 26 February and the unavailability of the 33-year-old Symonds is a further setback for a team already without the services of two of its leading bowlers in Brett Lee and Stuart Clark. Both are injured, while stalwart opening batsman Matthew Hayden has retired.
CA’s board decided on the recommendation of chief executive James Sutherland that Symonds should not be considered for the tour of South Africa. He is in trouble for remarks made about New Zealand wicketkeeper Brendan McCullum in a radio interview and there were allegations that he was drunk during the interview. He was fined over R26,000 for his outburst.
Last year, Symonds was suspended for the series’ against Bangladesh and India after missing a team meeting to go fishing. But he was back in the side for the series’ against New Zealand and South Africa, however, he struggled with a knee injury against the Proteas and played in only two Tests.
It was the Aussies’ struggles against India that expedited his return. Ponting, Australia’s beleaguered skipper, made it clear this past week that he would like Symonds on tour given that their Test side is struggling due to a lack of experience and the loss of Symonds will make Ponting’s task all the more difficult.
There are rumours that 21-year-old opening batsman Phil Hughes, who is from New South Wales, will replace Hayden in the Test side, and that will dramatically increase the pressure on the remaining batsmen, particularly Ponting.
Sutherland said in a statement Symonds would have to meet a number of rehabilitation criteria before being in contention for the national team again. He added that they would consider Symonds again after the Sheffield Shield season.
The Aussies have a one-day series against Pakistan scheduled in April.