"God, I really wouldn't want to fight this guy," was a strange first thought upon meeting our latest overseas recruit at Kent but then again there aren't too many cricketers with the menacing physical presence of Andrew 'Bushtucker' Symonds.
The man is huge and framed by the doorway of my end of terrace he almost blocked out the light. A strong handshake and an unsmiling, steely stare added to my first impression: this was not a man to be messed with.
Off the field he likes nothing better than camping under the stars and hunting wild boar with nothing but a knife - hence the 'bushtucker' nickname he quickly earned in the garden of England.
On the field he goes after his prey armed with a huge lump of willow or a missile made out of leather. Either way he's coming to get you make no mistake about it.
Symonds is a scrapper. He plays with the same combative enthusiasm, whether it's a muck-about game in the streets with his mates, the final of the World Cup, or a game of touch rugby.
Utterly without fear regardless of the opponent, the stage, or the situation of the game, he plays with a passion that can ignite others and spur them on to greater things.
His best performances for Australia have come when his team has needed them most. This week he scored a personal Test best of 162 not out against India digging the hosts out of the parlous position of 134-6 in conjunction with Brad Hogg and Brett Lee to post 463.
Rescued
He hit 18 fours and two sixes - exactly the same number of boundaries that he smashed at Johannesburg in 2003 in the opening game of the World Cup when he rescued Australia from 146-5 with 143 not out.
He, of course, did it again in last year's Ashes boxing day Test in Melbourne when he notched his debut Test century (156) after the Aussies had been 84-5.
I believe he is now genuinely world-class in both forms of the game.
The man, who would always seem to frustrate by whacking one straight into the hands of cover, has matured and eliminated a lot of the recklessness from his game.
He might never achieve Michael Bevan's one-day average or score the quantity of runs of Steve Waugh but I believe he will win more games because he can impact the game with bat, ball or with a breathtaking piece of fielding.
Few opposition players enjoy playing against Symonds and that's just the way he and the rest of his team like it. There aren't many who'd fancy fighting him either.
Comments (20)
Graham Craig says...
I cant help but shake my head at all the furore over the 2nd test between the aussies and the indians.I cant see how the aussies are to blame for all the problems.They dont choose the umpires and make the decisions.Im sure that if india had won then we would have moved on.The aussies play hard attacking cricket which other countries dont like.The gulf between them and the next best test nation just keeps getting bigger.No-one complained too much when the west indians used to bowl bouncers all day and then rest their poor fielders and bring on specialist fielders ( Roger Harper) in one dayers and tests.At least in australia you can be picked on your cricket ability and not what class or rich family your from like the sub continent teams.
Posted 19:24 13th January 2008
Don Ilan says...
I don't expect too much from professional sportsmen regarding behaviour, so I have no problems with Ponting's behaviour or comments. As far as I'm concerned both teams did their utmost to win, and if that includes claiming edges or catches (on both sides) that are - at best - marginal, that's ok. Footballers always claim a goal - even when they're clearly offside, and Maradona did score the "hand of God" goal in a world cup. However, it is the officials' job to make good decisions, and clearly the majority of bad calls were against the Indians (and there were far too many of them in such a high profile match). The ICC is responsible to put the best umpires forward in the big matches. I have no problem with Harbajhan being banned for racist comments. He has already been warned once, and has already made a promise not to do so again. I do have a problem with bad umpiring ruining the match. As far as I'm concerned the ICC should decide to set aside the result for the Sydney test, call it a draw (even if it ruins the Australian win record) and send both teams to Perth with India 1:0 down with 2 to play.
Posted 08:42 8th January 2008
Roger Virdee says...
Hi, I have been watching cricket for over 20 years and i have never ever seen such a poorly officiated game in my life. The decisions cost India the game and it is about time they looked at changing the system of umpiring to camera umpires in the commentary box to take all the decisions with administrators on the ground to pass on those decisions to the players. This eliminates players and teams ability to goad, intimidated and influence decisions by players or crowds on the ground.
Posted 17:20 7th January 2008
Bob Young says...
I see Ponting is quoted as saying that yes, the umpires made a few mistakes, but that's cricket. In the first instance 'few' is a gross understatement. Secondly, I wonder if he would be so forgiving if the for/against ratio had been reversed and India had won the match. I have no doubt that if the boot was on the other foot the Aussie fans would be as vociferous in their anger as the majority of true cricket lovers are now.
Posted 15:14 7th January 2008
Manjit Singh says...
I sit here laughing at some of the comments that some of the jokers have made. Firstly I think we should wait and see what the outcome is before everyone gets there knickers in a twist. I don¿t think that anyone knows exactly what was said expect the players involved. Australia have always been over rated, they do have some good players but they can¿t take the fact that they lost in India a few years ago. If they were that good they should have won the 20/20 tournament. The aussies can¿t take any sledging they get, but seem to think that it is ok for them to dish it out. The authorities should look in to it. It is supposed to be a gentleman¿s game, not for a brunch of animals. India have a young squad and the players will get better the more games they play.
Posted 08:27 7th January 2008
Hi Hello says...
I have seen the entire match and its very clear that more than 90% of the decisions went against India. This is not the first time decisions go against India. Well if Ponting in honest and play the game in a good spirit why he did not ask the field umpire to call for third umpire take the decision on Ganguly's case? Why did he appeal for a catch for a bump ball? Australians may play hard game at the same time they play unfair game. what stops you to not walking from the crease if you know that you have nicked the ball? (Ponting stood his crease). you cheaters dont have broad mind to accept the fact that you won the match in unfair manner.. Shame on you guys. you dont have any morale to talk about the integrity, ethics etc etc. If a match referee can decide on a case just listing to the players from one team where the justice upheld? these type of injustice is happening to sub continent players only. calling a player a checker in Australia even after he is cleared? Is it not Racism? people will appreciate if you guys agree that you won the match in an unfair manner.
Posted 08:08 7th January 2008
Greg Knight says...
I can't believe how pathetic these Indian Cricket supporters can be after losing a Test Match ! Of course the umpiring was ordinary ... but for BOTH sides (just ask Ricky Ponting). Let's hope the moaning and groaning , doesn't divert attention away from the REAL issue here.... Racism cannot be tollerated !!!
Posted 04:08 7th January 2008
Peter Byrnes says...
the umpiring was appalling but they are neutral umpires - brought in to diffuse these situations. When is racism acceptable - when it is directed to a black australian - we all remember Mumbai and the Monkey chants - you know the ones that Indian Cricker Officials said never happened - oops until the tv cameras caught the crowd doing it. Darren Lehmann copped the same thing a few years ago - at least he had the courage and honesty to admit he was an idiot for saying what he did - Harbajan does not.
Posted 01:49 7th January 2008
Shane Walsh says...
I'm an Australian living in London for the past 6 months. I love my country and support all our national teams but today for the first time in my life I am ashamed to be Australian.
Posted 23:00 6th January 2008
Harry Harrison says...
Yes their were some atrocious decisions in this match and some hairy moments on the field but let's not forget the problems the indian crikcet team face: Their lack of hunger when fielding - how much diving do you see? Their running between the wickets - hopw many runs do they miss out on. Their lack of knowledge about modren cricket - how hard do they push themselves in training compared to Australia, South Africa and even England? Their overall woeful record away from home.
Posted 22:18 6th January 2008
Anuj Tandon says...
Firstly just want to clear that... No one called any one a monkey. Its all a set up against Harbhajan... Australians are good cricketers... The best maybe... But for me they are not CHAMPIONS... They are not respectable... They are not GREATS... And for me they can never be legends.... They invented the term sledging and when someone talks back at them they turn into cry babies... they are the worst loosers in the world.... BE WARNED Aussie cricketers... be prepared to get the worst welcome of ur lives when you step into Indian Soil.... God i hope they get booooeeeeddd every where they go.....
Posted 20:14 6th January 2008
Neale Vaughan says...
Well here we go again the Indian supporters moaning about how Australia are supposedly not playing the game in the right spirit,I don't hear any of you mentioning the disgraceful and racial behavior of the Indian fans and players towards Andrew Symons when they were last in India,nor do you mention how Ricky Ponting called Raul Dravid back when he stated he had not caught the ball even when Dravid himself starting walking,Maybe it is because Australia plays the game hard that you do not like it,don't blame the Aussies for the poor umpiring it happened to both sides but I am sick and tired of hearing the moaning from bad losers like Indian supporters who cannot face the facts that their team is markedly inferior to Australia,oh and by the way the only team to have made racist comments so far in this series has been India.
Posted 20:10 6th January 2008
Sarwar Simpson says...
For the first time, I'm really ashamed of the Australian Cricket Team. Ponting, my god, is a cheat. We all saw it on Sky Sports live. Commentators saw it and described how umpiring blunders were made between the 2nd India-Australia match. Still, Ponting is defending his appeals.
Posted 19:36 6th January 2008
Mike Chapp says...
why is it supporters from the sub continent always moan about decisions? Are we forgeting this is sport and cricket like most sports the decisions are not always the correct ones! Thats what sport is all about you roll withthe punches , the good and the bad
Posted 19:20 6th January 2008
Sean Singh says...
I have no respect for those Aussies after this test match. They looked desperate and resorted to cheating just to get this winning streak. There was no sportsmanship from the Aussies. Ricky ponting Gesture to the umpire which in end saw Ganguly walking back to the pavilion (given out caught behind) , was just disgusting. The Aussies might be a good outfit, but they have just sunk in my eyes and in many enthusiastic indian cricketers and supporters, I hope the they get whats coming to them in the future on the field of cricket, then they will be feeling just like many upset Indians. Ricky ponting for me was a great role model fore many, but after today i think he's lost it!!! Good luck cheating Aussies, and Somebody get rid of ageing Bucknor and that other Useless English Umpire!! Somebody's head has to role for these 2 umpiring clowns!
Posted 16:21 6th January 2008
Sebastian Henn says...
The Sky Sports article claiming Symonds to be "world class" is simply buffoon journalism! Having played nearly 20 tests, slogger Symonds has yet to score 1000 test runs. He has had sufficient time to improve his batting statistics with the honour of playing amongst some of the greatest cricketers that happen to be his team mates. Slogger Symonds is a good cricketer but lets not got carried away. Have we seen him elegantly square cut a delivery or play the leg glance? No, simply because he is not a wristy player but a big hitter. I believe if it wasn't for his colour, Symonds would not be representing Australia. Ian Harvey was a far better all-rounder but suffered due to the talent that was ahead of him in the pecking order. Why is he so scared to play in Pakistan? He doesn't have a great overseas test record and playing in the Indian Sub-Continent is a huge test for any player. Having hunted Wild Boar in Northern California, I can tell you no one kills these animals "armed with just a knife"! The man is a wimp! Great players die to represent their countries, even adopted countries in his case. It will be interesting to see how he digs the Aussies out of trouble once Ponting, Hayden and Gilchrist retire. As for the race issues: the recent tour of India; and, Harbhajan Singh in the Sydney test, why do we not hear about the abuse directed at former West Indian players decades ago by the Aussie players and the crowds? Or when the Indian Sub-Continent teams tour Australia in more recent times? We need to send class gentlement like David Gower to educate some of these yob like modern players in sportsmanship!
Posted 11:01 6th January 2008
David Kirkman says...
I was lucky enough to see almost 80% of the Sydney test , though it was on television . I am left with a bad taste in my mouth at so many bad umpiring decisions , most going against India ,which changed the result . My Grandfather ,and father taught me to play cricket "hard but FAIR " . Australia are moving into the field of "cheating " as they put undue pressure on the umpires AND deliberately attempt to cover up the majority of their on field doubtful catching activities ( i do recognise Pontings more honest action in the first test ) . Cricket has set a standard for the use of technology in an attempt to curtail dodgy umpire decisions --- the appalling error of the 3rd umpire is serious & the person involved should be banned for at least 2 years from having any contact with the sport .Some of the on field decisions by the 2 umpires were the worst i have seen for many years , particularly the ones were the umpire was too stubborn to even use the 3rd umpire .Maybe they had lost confidence in his judgement as well as the players . I believe the time has come for a reasonable number of "captains on field challenges " to be made (similar to tennis line calls ) so that the game can be still played 'Hard but FAIR '! I do not wish to witness another captain swallow his anger ( even though Kumble made it an ART FORM ! ) like i saw as he was interviewed not more than 30 minutes after the end of the game . All credit to India for "nearly " overcoming the odds so stacked against them and i really would not like to see teams following Australias and in particular their Captains crazy on field celebrations at the end of what was a fine game . Lets get back to the true spirit of this magnificent game , even if it does mean more use of the technology now available . Five days of skill and the efforts of two teams DEMAND a FAIR result . Sincerely - david kirkman -- a Lancashire and England supporter .
Posted 10:18 6th January 2008
Liz Clements says...
If Viv Richards or Brian Lara or Gordon Greenidge were called a monkey would it be okay? No. So why should a black man in a baggy green cap be racially abused.
Posted 08:56 6th January 2008
Hoz Harar says...
None of your story or epic on Symonds matters really. He is not a gentleman, can't play in the spirit of the game and Test cricket has been burried because of the umpiring fiasco at the SCG. Test cricket has died another death today! So please stop worshiping this devil and lack of asportsman - Symonds!
Posted 08:29 6th January 2008
Rajesh Khanna says...
How come Aussies are given all the freedom in the world. Ponting pushed a official and he was allowed to walk free, should Umpires not be investigated for Match fixing? How many times does India need to get a player out before they are given out? Did Ponting make an official complaints to Match refree because he knows he will be bowled out again by Harbajan? How come Aussies are allowed to sledge players but as soon as any one gets their own back they are in trouble? Should Speed resign or literally kicked out with the type of officailas are there. India had simmilar bad luck in England when players were out not given and India players not out given out. England got their own back and lost to Sri Lanka on bad decisions.
Posted 23:51 5th January 2008