Friday 5th September 2008
Cox: Symonds will be picked in future
Australian national team selector Jamie Cox has stated prolific batsman Andrew Symonds' recent breach of discipline would not have a bearing on his future selection in the team.
Symonds was named in the side for the three-match one-day series against Bangladesh in Darwin and was ordered to return home after going fishing and missing a compulsory team meeting, but Cox - one of four members on the national selection panel - said Symonds would be picked only on the criteria of cricket.
"Andrew Symonds will be picked when he is available for cricket again," Cox told reporters. "Discipline is not a problem for us. We just keep a list of players available."
He added: "The selection would be based purely on cricket and disciplinary grounds will not have a bearing on that.
"Anyway, we will make that decision when it comes around."
Cox, who is in India to watch the Australian A team, said he hoped Symonds would be back in the fold as quickly as possible.
"The decision (to send him back) was made by the senior players' group with support from Cricket Australia.
"From the selection point of view, we hope Andrew is quickly back and available to play again.
"For the moment, it is completely Andrew's decision. He has been given time to go away and figure out what exactly he wants to do."
