04/06/2009

Cricketer Symonds Sent Home 'For Disciplinary Reasons'

An Australian cricketer, Andrew Symonds has been sent home from the Twenty20 World Cup tournament in England for disciplinary reasons.

According to Cricket Australia, the all-rounder, who has only returned to the Australian squad following a series of personal problems, had been ordered home after breaking team rules relating to alcohol and other issues.

Cricket Australia chief executive James Sutherland confirmed the 33-year-old would not be playing in the tournament, which begins tomorrow.

"He will come home this evening," Mr Sutherland said. "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. I'm quite sad about it."

Australia are hoping to call in a replacement for their opening match of the Twenty20 Cup against the West Indies on Saturday.

Symonds, who was born in Birmingham, England but taken to Australia while still a child, has been involved in a string of off-field misdemeanours in recent years.

Most recently, the Queenslander was dropped from the Australia side after he missed a team meeting to go fishing, as well as for a foul-mouthed outburst during an interview.

(JM/BMcc)

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