CARDIFF, June 18: Andrew Symonds was facing the prospect of disciplinary action after being left out of Australia’s side to play Bangladesh in the world champions triangular series match at Sophia Gardens on Saturday for breaking team rules.
An Australia spokeswoman said an inquiry had been launched into Symonds’s conduct having earlier told reporters he’d been left out because of a niggling injury and flu.
“Andrew Symonds was not selected to play for Australia against Bangladesh on Saturday after it was discovered he’d breached team rules,” the spokeswoman later told reporters.
“A full investigation will be conducted on Saturday evening by senior team management and any further action will be determined at that point.
“We will advise the outcome of that investigation as soon as possible but once that information is released there will be no further comment from the team.
“The initial information we provided to you (the media) was given by the head coach (John Buchanan), after the matter was brought to light late in the warm-up, so that the game could get underway with minimum distraction whilst the situation was clarified.”
Symonds, 30, born in Birmingham, England, has played 116 ODIs for Australia and the Queensland all-rounder, who played for Gloucestershire and Kent, was a member of the team that won the 2003 World Cup.—AFP