Australian cricket legend Dean Jones has gone in to bat for Andrew Symonds, slamming his Australian teammates for throwing the troubled all-rounder "to the dogs".
Symonds has reportedly been ruled out of the upcoming tour of India already and has been told to get psychological help after being dumped from the Australian squad for missing a team meeting - and instead going fishing.
Stand-in captain and one-time close mate Michael Clarke questioned Symonds’s commitment to the team, coach Tim Nielsen said he didn’t know when the all-rounder would return to the squad - and media reports have suggested Symonds may be suffering mental problems.
But the whole scenario has left Jones fuming.
"The saga of it doesn't sit well for me, particularly reading in the papers when journalists put "the Cricket Australia source said this"... and don't put his name to it, saying that he's jot mental problems," said the former Test batsman.
"I think its very mischievous. Typical un-Australian."
Jones insists the penalty far outweighs the crime.
"What's the big deal? Jeff Thomson and Dennis Lillie did some awful things in their time. It's not as if he's hit anyone or racially abused anyone.
"All he's done is miss a team meeting for God's sake, and we tip him home and throw him to the dogs.
"I think it's disgraceful."
Reports regarding Symonds's mental health have angered Jones, who even suggested Symonds take legal action.
"If I was Andrew Symonds I'd be speaking to my lawyer and taking legal action...
"I haven’t heard a word from James Sutherland, the CEO of Cricket Australia... I'm very concerned about so-called leaks coming out Cricket Australia and other people saying "the boy's got mental problems."
But worst of all? The public betrayal by his teammates.
"Is that Michael Clarke trying to push his way as the captain?
"I haven't heard Ricky Ponting say a word as the official captain.
"All he's done is miss a meeting... You don't need a meeting to beat Bangladesh for God's sake."
The squad for Australia’s tour of India in October will be announced on September 13. Symonds is not expected to be named.
Australia cruised past Bangladesh with an eight wicket win in Darwin today to claim the best of three series.
