| GEO Sports | | Symonds warned he is running out of chances | Updated at: 1307 PST, Sunday, August 31, 2008
 DARWIN: Volatile Australian all-rounder Andrew Symonds has been warned he is on his last chance as an international cricketer after his latest disciplinary breach.
Symonds was a shock absentee when Australia played Bangladesh at the TIO Stadium on Saturday, having been sent back to Queensland for breaching team rules.
The powerful 33-year-old missed a compulsory team meeting on Friday when he went fishing instead. The keen angler is also believed to have been drinking alcohol against team rules later in the day while some of his team-mates were engaging in a voluntary training session.
Injured Australian captain Ricky Ponting a long-time supporter of Symonds and stand-in skipper Michael Clarke played a key role in deciding Symonds would return home and play no part in the three-match series against Bangladesh.
A Cricket Australia spokesman said here Saturday Symonds had been told his lucrative playing contract would be torn up if he transgressed again. Speaking after Australia crushed Bangladesh by 180 runs, Clarke said Symonds was a required player, but needed to meet team ideals and show the necessary commitment to the cause.
“It’s so hard to play for this team,” he said. “In my opinion we are the greatest sporting team in the world, and we have standards. “They may be higher than other teams, but if you don’t fulfil those standards, unfortunately, you’re not going to be a part of our squad. “The main concern for us is Andrew’s commitment to playing for this team.” |  |
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