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Warne lashes out at Symonds

15/09/2008

Shane Warne has hit out at all-rounder Andrew Symonds for showing a lack of respect to the Australian cricket team.

Warne said Symonds let the side down when he reportedly chose to go fishing instead of attending a mandatory team meeting.

Symonds was sent home before the recent three-match limited-overs series against Bangladesh and was not selected for the upcoming tour of India, with Cricket Australia deciding he needed time to consider his international career.

Warne felt that Symonds should have given more support to stand-in captain Michael Clarke as one of the senior members of the squad.

"I would have thought that if Andrew Symonds and Michael Clarke were good friends, then Symo would have more respect for Michael Clarke than that," Warne told the Herald-Sun.

"I think it's disappointing that he put a young captain like Michael Clarke in that position.

"It was disappointing from Symo. It's not a one-off thing, and I just think Symo has showed a lack of respect."

Warne also said that Symonds should not be tempted to quit international cricket for a full-time contract with the Indian Premier League.

"I would be disappointed if he took the easy option and just threw it away," Warne said.

"He could do that and just take his cash from the IPL, but to me that would be the easy option.

"The hard option and the option that will satisfy him and earn him some respect is to come back a better person and show how important playing for Australia is to him."