Cricket: Symonds axed over alcohol incident

Andrew Symonds has been dropped from the Australian Twenty20 squad. Photo / AP

LONDON - Ricky Ponting believes Cricket Australia (CA) did all it could for Andrew Symonds before banishing the wayward allrounder from the world Twenty20 squad over another alcohol-related incident.

Cameron White was drafted into the squad as a replacement on Thursday as CA made arrangements to fly Symonds home from London following his latest off-field indiscretion.

Ponting did not believe Symonds was rushed back into the international set-up after a spell on the sidelines because of previous disciplinary issues.

"We gave him the appropriate amount of time, he'd done everything that was required of him and unfortunately for him and for us he's come back in and this has happened again," Ponting said.

"He's been given plenty of opportunity, that's for sure."

Symonds, left out of the squad to contest the Ashes from next month, was ordered home from England just two days before he was expected to take part in Australia's opening world Twenty20 match against the West Indies.

Reports suggested Symonds was drinking while watching a telecast of the State of Origin rugby league match taking place in Melbourne on Wednesday.

CA would reveal only that Symonds had breached team rules relating to alcohol and other issues, while Ponting said the 33-year-old Queenslander had broken commitments made "to himself and to the team".

"I don't think Cricket Australia could have done any more for him to tell you the truth," Ponting said.

"He'd been stood down on a number of occasions, he's been working on some processes off the field over the last 12 or 18 months to make himself better in different aspects of his life."

Symonds was suspended from the national team last September for going fishing instead of attending a team meeting in Darwin and again after criticising New Zealand batsman Brendon McCullum on radio.

Symonds, who was also suspended in 2005 for arriving for a match under the influence of alcohol, received counselling earlier this year and returned to national colours in the one-day series win over Pakistan in Dubai in April.

His team-mates expressed sorrow at losing a squad member they praised as a player and person.

Fast bowler Brett Lee described Symonds as "the world's greatest guy".

"He's a world-class player and to leave a gap like that is not great for the Australian cricket team but we always find a way, if someone gets injured or if someone goes out of the side, to fill that void," Lee said.

"What's happened with Andrew is a very personal blow for him and we'll be, as mates, sticking by him and making sure that we're giving our best advice and the help he needs."

Mike Hussey said: "It's a real shame because he is a great player and a great mate of mine.

"It's unfortunate and we've got to move on, we've got to concentrate on the cricket, our preparation and making sure we are 100 per cent ready for the West Indies.

"It is definitely a loss for us but we've got other very, very capable players to come in and fill the breach and hopefully we can put in a good performance."

- AAP