Sep 01 2009
Controlling a ‘Roy’al maverick
Roy’ Andrew Symonds is not coming to India. And luckily enough, Steve Bucknor is also not coming to India. Not that Andrew Symonds is a spent force. In actual fact, Symonds showed irresponsibility when on national duty. He chose to go fishing, while the rest of Australian squad was in a team meeting. Bangladesh touring Australia was inconsequential for Andrew Symonds. More than anything it was disrespect for the game. And the Australian selectors showed adamancy in forcing discipline on a maverick yet magnificent cricketing talent.
The irony for anagogic Andrew Symonds in his formative years was that he could have chosen to represent either England or Australia. Andrew Symonds, born in Birmingham England was adamant to wear the Australian Baggy Green. After much speculation amongst the British media, Andrew Symonds decided to play for Australia. For nearly a decade, the promise remains unfulfilled. Australia and the game will be the sufferer.
Ever since Andrew Symonds donned the baggy green, he has continuously generated dynamics and despair at the same time. Early on his career, known for big hitting and spontaneous sixes, Symonds bewildered spectators the world over. While playing for Gloucestershire in his first county game against Glamorgan, Symonds smashed 16 sixes. His big hitting gave English cricket hope of another Ian Botham. When counties were running after Symonds, he went to Queensland in Australia. In county cricket, his continuous failures after that huge promise went answerless. His coach at county Gloucestershire said Symonds lacked control on his shot selection and more often than not threw away his wicket cheaply.
In three years time he was selected for Australia to play limited overs cricket, where as he could have played for England much earlier. Andrew Symonds made ODI debut against Pakistan at Lahore in 1998. He struggled to find his feet representing the strongest cricket team. He disappointed many supporters. Symonds survived only because of his ability to throw himself about in the field. Scoring runs was distant and difficult. The intrigue of Symonds’ existence continued in his play.
Then came the World Cup in South Africa in 2003, where his selection was in doubt. Against the strong Pakistan, under pressure, Symonds smashed a squash-buckling, scintillating century in no time. Australians marched towards another World Cup win. The cricketing world got awakened of Symonds maverick genius.
The unassuming persona of Symonds with war lipstick, dreadlock hair and unordinary frame gave cricket a different character. The importance of Andrew Symonds grew for Australia and for the game. He became to be known as a butcheristic cricketer on the field and a possessive person off it. Opposing teams feared the very presence of his forcing personality. Symonds strengthened the strong Australian late middle order batting as never before. His remarkable field work has taken fielding to greater heights and his ODI bowling has helped Australians stay stronger.
For Symonds, Test cricket came late. He made Test debut against Sri Lanka at Galle in March 2004 at the age of 29 years. Test cricket seemed unlikely place for a colorful person like Andrew Symonds, and he didn’t take it in stride as well as he did to limited overs cricket. His struggles continued and failures surfaced often. Symonds himself seemed intrigued for his indifferent performances as he realized in saying “I was a man without a map when I went out to bat”. His first century in Test cricket came in his 12th Test, against England at Melbourne in 2006. But he has had a great season in Test cricket last year. In the last 9 Tests against Sri Lanka, India and West Indies, Symonds has scored 777 runs with a staggering average more than 70.
At the time when Andrew Symonds was resurrecting his career and establishing himself in Test cricket, he decided to go fishing. Not that, the missing of the team meeting was life threatening for Symonds, but fishing alone was not the solace factor either. It was a matter of taking pleasure before duty. Symonds seeking fulfillment in fishing was mere fishing only. He should have alternated the team meeting with fishing. A sincere professional always finds a way to work.
Andrew Symonds’ reasons for missing the team meeting was even more fraudulous. Skipping team meeting for fishing alone can not be a source of independence. He missed the actual reasons for going fishing. Andrew Symonds’ life and career has been a constant search for himself. His complex upbringing and uncertain background hasn’t helped him in this search.
Symonds complexity of seeking peace off the field and being a warrior on it reflects the insecure possessiveness. He has combined superlative performances with self destructive moments. Going fishing was another one. Before the recent fishing episode, Symonds had earlier turned up for an ODI against England at Cardiff drunk. He was also reprimanded for staying late on a beach resort in West Indies on the last Caribbean tour. And that ‘monkey’ moment with Harbhajan Singh during India’s tour to Australia were the highlights of Symonds indifferent career. Though, he has realized his follies and has started practice, he does want to mend his ways. He sure should as a lot of cricket is left in him. On the personal front and with his huge talent, he should understand that he needs cricket more than cricket needs him. Symonds needs to come back stronger.
Indians will miss Andrew Symonds on Indian tour. Indians will miss the hype surrounding Symonds’ off and on field tussles, but at the same time would take the prospect of winning against the strongest cricketing nation with open arms. It would not be that simple but Andrew’s absence will certainly boost Indians. The rest of the Australians can challenge Indians but that is yet to experience.
Cricket needs characters more than mere professionals and players. And Andrew Symonds is one such maverick match winner. Australians may rue the decision of discipline against the ‘Roy’al Andrew Symonds.
But that is to be seen to be believed.
