By IANS,
Melbourne : Cricket Australia (CA) has decided to fully back Andrew Symonds and regardless of whether he tours India, the all-rounder will get his contract payment and also the fees for the games he will not play.
Symonds missed the ODI series against Bangladesh after being sent home by team management for breaching discipline. He is unlikely to tour India as he has been put under rehabilitation by CA for his repeated acts of indiscipline. Symonds though will get $200,000 over the next 10 weeks. The significant show of faith from CA came as a source within the Australian camp revealed that Symonds was not ready to walk away from the game that has made him a millionaire.
CA’s governing body is prepared to pay him his CA retainer, plus match payments for games he won’t play, in a move that will cost the organisation a six-figure sum, according to a report in The Sunday Mail.
CA spokesman Peter Young confirmed Symonds would receive his full wage during his time out of the game.
“He’s a contracted player and because he’s going through a rehabilitation programme at the moment, he will be paid in full,” Young said.
“We’re treating this the same way as if a player was injured. Andrew will still get his retainer payment.
Australian players are paid $17,850 for a Test abroad. Australia will play four Tests in India. Symonds, under his CA deal, is entitled to earn $71,400 without setting foot on the sub-continent.
Currently seeking solace in the Gold Coast hinterland, Symonds is awaiting further instruction from CA and Queensland cricket authorities but it is understood leading sports psychologist Phil Jauncey could be enlisted to counsel the all-rounder.