From an uncanny player to an indispensable player to the most rambunctious of men, Andrew Symonds has come full circle. The reality check may have come a little late in hindsight; but it appears to have hit hard at last.
Andrew Symonds has heard it from all quarters. He should have been Michael Clarke’s right hand man. He should have been the senior most help in the side in a team that was lacking the presence of other seniors. Instead Symonds set an example that no captain would ever see. Even the bad boy of Australian cricket, Shane Warne, found it hard to keep away from airing his views on how his viewed Symonds’ insubordination. He let Clarke, the captain, down. He let Clarke, the friend, down. More importantly he let the baggy green down. And the price had to be paid. Australia have earned the tag of being obnoxious, boorish and downright arrogant. Now disrespectful is an adjective that is not becoming uncommon to them. Even as attempts are made to clean up their act, the team was involved in defending Symonds over allegations that were found without evidence. Yet to be stabbed by one of their own seemed too much to digest.
The danger though for the big headed player would have been to quit in the midst of a feeling of being alienated and discriminated against. Too much water had passed between the last Indian encounter and the Harbhajan Singh incident; but could Andrew Symonds move on? That was the big question. And it seemed the decision taken by the leadership team to send Symonds back home before the Bangalore series could have pushed the burly all-rounder over the edge and force him to kick away his stint with the Australian team. Symonds’ annoyance was apparent in his acceptance to take the time to think what was important to him.
Now it appears the light bulb has finally turned on. Symonds did take the time to think and has now decided his best chance to live his dream lies in getting back into the team fold scheme of things and make amends once more and play the role of a senior member of the team. Back in the nets with his mate Matthew Hayden and the Australian squad, Andrew Symonds is not preparing for the tour to India but rather for the longer haul of contributing to the cause of the Australian cricket for a few more years in a “more responsible” manner. Symonds has accepted his behaviour ahead of the Bangladesh series was less than desirable but that he was in a mood to rectify his behaviour in order to become a better player and a better person.
All noble thoughts these but the big question remains: is that really possible? Players who once get caught up in a messy brouhaha rarely find themselves away from trouble. Symonds has been there and done that. So has Harbhajan Singh. So has Sreesanth. So has Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif. Even Shane Warne. Is there some truth to the fact that some behaviours are simply like the dog’s tail – a futile attempt in straightening out?
Symonds gets a new life. Fireworks will explode, but hopefully only off his bat.

For more on Symonds, have a look at:

No Monkey Business in India; Australia Hunt for a Spinner

Symonds: Getting into Hot Water for Cooling off!

Australia Can do without Symonds; Can India without Ganguly? 320154