Andrew Symonds is not universally popular outside of Australia but the news that he might be charged with serious misconduct for shoulder barging a streaker is one of the most nonsensical things ever heard in international cricket.
Symonds, battling manfully to rescue Australia from an awful start in the 2nd Commonwealth Bank One day Final versus India, had to pull out of his batting stance when play was halted by a pasty young male sprinting across the Gabba wearing nothing that he wasn't born with. As the streaker made a beeline for the stumps where the imposing Symonds was standing, the solidly built Australian all-rounder decided he wasn't having any of it and, as is his right, stood his ground before unceremoniously dumping the errant fan on his behind with all the alacrity of a Jonny Wilkinson tackle.
The idiotic supporter, immediately apprehended by Queensland's finest, was quickly whisked away to an evening in the cells and a £1400 fine. The game carried on and the reaction of most people must surely have been 'Well done Symonds.'
Now we are told he may face a life ban for physically assaulting a spectator under the ICC Player's Code of Conduct as if he had performed an Eric Cantona-like kung fu assault into a group of innocent bystanders. This is politically correct administration at its woeful worst. Maybe Symonds should have stood there and allowed the poorly endowed streaker to attack him or steal the stump microphone. Or perhaps a strategically placed autograph was all the sun-starved reprobate was after.
Common sense must prevail here. Andrew Symonds did what any 16 stone athlete would have done when confronted by a naked man displaying his undercarriage - respond with a tackle of your own and see who comes out on top.
The bare faced cheek of it...
Wello
