His ouster from the Twenty20 World Cup squad notwithstanding, Andrew Symonds continues to enjoy the backing of his teammates, who are convinced that the temperamental all-rounder would return to the Australian squad again.
His ouster from the Twenty20 World Cup squad notwithstanding, Andrew Symonds continues to enjoy the backing of his teammates, who are convinced that the temperamental all-rounder would return to the Australian squad again.
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Speedster Brett Lee described Symonds as "world's greatest guy" and was optimistic of his return to the national team.
"To lose a player of his calibre leaves a big hole in the team but hopefully he will be back shortly," said Lee.
"I'm disappointed he's flying home. As his teammates we will be trying our hardest to make sure he gets back in the Australian cricket team at some stage," he was quoted as saying by the Australian Associated Press (AAP).
"What's happened with Andrew is a very personal blow to him but as mates we'll be sticking by him and making sure we give him our best advice and the help he needs," the 32-year-old pacer added.
Lee conceded Symonds would be missed in the Twenty20 World Cup but he urged teammates to lift themselves and focus on the job ahead.
"We have to move on. As his teammates we are disappointed that Andrew is going home but we will try to find a way to fill that gap.
"He's a world-class player and to leave a gap like that is not great for the Australian team but we always find a way to fill a void," he said.
Fellow pacer Nathan Bracken said he too was sorry to see Symonds leave in such a fashion.
"He's a tremendous talent, he fits in and gets on well with the boys and to say it is the end of his career is a big call," said Bracken.
"He's got the talent and the ability at this level, we all enjoy him being around and enjoy watching him play cricket so hopefully he'll be back shortly.
"When you play professional sport you have very little margin for error and for him it's been tough - to be sent home from a tour is hard so every guy in a way will feel sorry for him," said the left-arm pacer.
An equally sad Mike Hussey said other players need to put behind the episode and concentrate on the job at hand.
"We've got to concentrate on our preparations and make sure we are 100 per cent ready for the West Indies on Saturday. We can't afford to let it affect our preparations," he said. "I feel bad for the guy, I really hope he can get any issues sorted out and I hope he can still play cricket for Australia because he's shown over a long period of time how good a player he is," he said.
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