August 31st, 2008
AUSTRALIAN cricket star Andrew Symonds was sent home in shame from the Darwin one-day series yesterday because he could not resist the lure of a good Territory barra.
The blue waters of Darwin Harbour were too tempting for the all-rounder, who went fishing with a mate on Friday morning, hooking some “good barra” in nearby rivers.
And just three years after he was nearly sent home from the 2005 Ashes tour for a drinking binge, the 33-year-old flamboyant cricketer has again found himself in hot water.
Symonds (pictured at Darwin Airport) missed a key team meeting and practice session while out fishing.
And just hours later he was booted out of the side by good mate and fill-in Australian captain Michael Clarke for not showing “100 per cent” commitment.
As Symonds left Darwin for Brisbane, the flamboyant cricketer refused to answer whether his big Territory catch had been worth missing the Bangladesh match - and jeopardising his career.
Cricket Australia denied reports alcohol had anything to do with Symonds’ expulsion, despite rumours he had been caught drinking after his trip and later seen out at a Territory nightspot.
It is not the first time his passion for fishing has landed him a tight spot, after he and teammate Matthew Hayden were forced to swim to shore when their boat sank off Stradbroke Island in 1999.
Business partner Anthony Gelfius, who provides a 5m Boab Hire Boat vessel for the cricketer’s exclusive use, drove the boat, car and tackle here on Thursday.
“Andrew was going to take out some of the boys from the team and we were lining up more boats for them,” Mr Gelfius said.
But he said the avid fisherman’s plan was now shattered - and it was evident on his face as he arrived at Darwin International Airport just before lunch, still wearing a Boab Hire Boats cap.
Dressed in cargo shorts, shirt and thongs, Symonds looked sullen and sipped iced-water in the Qantas lounge, huddled in a corner with two minders. He could not even raise his famous big smile for a female fan taking his photo.
The cricketer boarded his 1.30pm flight alone just as teammates wrapped up their innings at Marrara, and emerged from QF825 at 5.36pm in Brisbane, flanked by two airport security guards and Queensland Cricket media manager Stephen Gray.
He was whisked away from the airport and Symonds’ partner Katie told Queensland media: “Andrew has nothing to say”.
Last night captain Michael Clarke said his “closest mate” had been “very disappointed” when told by the team’s leadership group - including Ricky Ponting via phone link - he was being sent home.
He said the group made the unanimous decision that Symonds was not “100 per cent committed” to the Australian team, after a “handful of incidents”.
And he hoped the “great guy” would use “his time wisely” and “get his head right”.
“We are the greatest sporting team in the world. And we have standards …. if you don’t fulfil those standards unfortunately you’re not going to be a part of our squad,” Clarke said.
