Symonds Sent Home - Again!

He's going home, he's going home, he's going, Symo's going home!

Australia have sent Andrew Symonds home from the World Twenty20 tournament in England for disciplinary reasons after less than 10 days in Blighty!

Cricket Australia said the controversial all-rounder had been dismissed after breaking team rules relating to alcohol and other issues. The 33-year-old, who had returned to the Australia set-up after a spell out because of disciplinary issues, was absent from training on Thursday.

Symonds had already been left out of Australia's 16-man Ashes squad. The incident is the latest in a long line of off-field misdemeanours involving the Queensland player and will be a major blow to Ricky Ponting who publicly backed Symonds for an Ashes spot as well as to play a major role in the 20/20 World Cup.

In January, he was fined by Cricket Australia over a remark he made in a radio interview and he has a history of drinking related problems, stretching back to 2005. In August 2008, he was been sent home from Australia's one-day squad to play Bangladesh in Darwin after missing a compulsory team meeting to go fishing.


Jardine's Verdict: A disaster waiting to happen? Or the sad demise of a gifted cricketer? A mix of the two most probably. However, the news is a real blow for Aussie hopes but also shows a tough no-nonsense managerial approach. Barmen the length and breadth of Britain will be reeling!