File
Andrew Symonds ... in hot water again.

DARWIN, Australia (AP):

AN ILL-TIMED fishing trip has cost all-rounder Andrew Symonds his place in Australia's cricket team for its current limited overs series and jeopardised his future international career, team sources said yesterday.

Symonds, 33, went fishing instead of attending a compulsory team meeting on Friday ahead of yesterday's opening match of a three-game one-day series against Bangladesh. He was expelled for the remainder of the series at the recommendation of the Australian team's leadership group.

Conform to standards

Acting Australia captain Michael Clarke said he hoped Symonds could make a return to the Australian team, but emphasised he could only do so if he was willing to conform to team rules.

"It's so hard to play for this team. In my opinion, we are the greatest sporting team in the world, and we have standards," Clarke said. "They may be higher than other teams, but if you don't fulfill those standards, unfortunately, you're not going to be a part of our squad.

"The main concern for us is Andrew's commitment to playing for this team. In my opinion and the rest of the leadership group's opinion, you need to be committed 100 per cent to all facets of being an international cricketer."

Symonds has a chequered disciplinary record in the national team and Cricket Australia (CA) operations manager Michael Brown said he was warned after Friday's incident that his playing contract would be torn up if he misbehaved again.

All-night drinking binge

Symonds' worst indiscretion occurred in 2005 when, after an all-night drinking binge, he reported still intoxicated for a limited overs international against Bangladesh in Cardiff. He narrowly avoided being sent home from Australia's Ashes tour of England.

Clarke played a part in saving Symonds' career after that incident but said yesterday, in a press conference following Australia's easy win in the series opener, that the all-rounder must win back the respect of his teammates and improve his attitude if he is to have an international future.

After being suspended for the series, Symonds flew to Brisbane, arriving in casual dress rather than team uniform, and was quickly ushered away from waiting media by airport security.