Fishing trip is costly for Symonds

Australia reached 254 for eight against Bangladesh but with one notable absence from the team as Andrew Symonds is sent home for going on a fishing trip.

The all-rounder Andrew Symonds has been sent home from the one-day series against Bangladesh in Darwin for a disciplinary breach.

DARWIN // Mike Hussey made 85 and Shaun Marsh 76 as Australia reached 254 for eight, batting first in the first of three limited overs matches against Bangladesh today, although the team's preparations were dealt a blow with the news the all-rounder Andrew Symonds had been banished from the series for disciplinary reasons. Marsh, in his sixth one-day international, gave Australia a sound start after they had lost the toss and been sent in, putting on 56 for the first wicket with James Hopes (22) and 85 in a third-wicket stand with Hussey that stretched from the 20th to the 40th over.

Hussey carried the Australian effort after Marsh's dismissal and was out to the last ball of the innings, bowled by Shahadat Hossain, who took three wickets in the 50th over. Hussey's total included five fours and the only six of the Australian innings. He took his 85 runs from only 87 deliveries. Marsh hit four boundaries and faced 105 balls for his 76. There was some concern for Australia that their innings compounded after the strong beginning provided by Marsh and Hussey.

After reaching 201 for three, five Australian wickets fell for only 53 runs, including those of Cameron White, Mitchell Johnson and Hussey to the last four balls of the innings. Shahadat finished with three wickets for 42 runs from six overs while Mushrafe Mortaza, who opened the bowling was economical in two spells, conceded only 31 runs from 10 overs. An ill-timed fishing trip may have cost Symonds his place in the Australian side for the and jeopardised his future international career, according to team sources today.

Symonds, 33, went fishing instead of attending a compulsory team meeting yesterday ahead of today's opening match. He was expelled for the remainder of the series at the recommendation of the Australian team's leadership group. Acting Australia captain Michael Clarke said he hoped Symonds could make a return to the Australian team, but emphasised he could only do so if he was willing to conform to team rules.

"It's so hard to play for this team. In my opinion we are the greatest sporting team in the world, and we have standards," Clarke said. "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. "In my opinion and the rest of the leadership group's opinion, you need to be committed 100 per cent to all facets of being an international cricketer."

Symonds has a checkered disciplinary record in the national team and Cricket Australia operations manager Michael Brown said the player has been warned after the incident that his playing contract would be torn up if he misbehaved again. Symonds' worst indiscretion occurred in 2005 when, after an all-night drinking binge, he reported still intoxicated for a limited overs international against Bangladesh in Cardiff.

He narrowly avoided being sent home from Australia's Ashes tour of England. Clarke played a part in saving Symonds' career after that incident but said today, in a press conference following Australia's easy win, that the all-rounder must win back the respect of his teammates and improve his attitude if he is to have an international future. After being suspended for the series, Symonds flew to Brisbane, arriving in casual dress rather than team uniform, and was quickly ushered away from waiting media by airport security.

The Australia coach Tim Nielsen said the failure to attend Friday's team meeting was the last straw after a number of recent incidents which raised doubts about Symonds' commitment to the team. "He wasn't organised enough to understand his commitments that day," Nielsen said. "That to me raises concerns about how and what sort of space he is in, in his own mind and that's the discussion we had with him."

Clarke, Nielsen and the Australia captain Ricky Ponting agreed in a telephone conference call that Symonds should be sent away from the team. Brown said Cricket Australia would work with Symonds' state cricket authority, his manager and family members in an attempt to revive his career. *AP