Andrew Symonds has been kicked out of the Australian squad just over 24 hours before the start of the tournament for an “alcohol-related incident”. The Aussie team leadership group including team-mates Ricky Ponting and Michael Clarke recommended that he be kicked out of the squad – presumably making a return to the team in the future highly unlikely.
It is believed that Symonds was drinking on Wednesday morning while watching the State of Origin rugby league match with some of his team-mates, therefore contravening the conditions of a personal contract he struck with Cricket Australia.
It was said not to be a serious offence in isolation but comes on the back of numerous other incidents and a period of rehabilitation for Symonds while trying to prove to Cricket Australia that his problems were behind him.
The ICC have allowed Australia to add big hitting Cameron White to their squad as Symonds replacement.
Australia have drifted slightly in the betting and are now out from 5/1 to 11/2 with Ladbrokes.