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Saturday March 13, 2010

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Dean Jones slams Cricket Australia

Posted by: By Ben Wise, 3AW.com.au | 5 June, 2009 - 9:16 AM
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ABOVE: Listen to Dean Jones on 3AW with Neil Mitchell.

Former Australian cricket great Dean Jones has fired a broadside at Cricket Australia for sending Andrew Symonds home from the Ashes tour in England for not telling team management he was leaving his London hotel room to watch the NRL State Of Origin at a pub.

Jones surprisingly questioned whether Cricket Australia has been too harsh on perennial bad boy Symonds, and even raised a 'conspiracy theory' about the sporting body's decision to send Australia to participate in a recent series in Dubai.

On Symonds' 'indiscretion, Jones told 3AW's Neil Mitchell: "I think he is probably too Australian. He just had a beer and supported Queensland's big win over NSW – it's a culture in the team that's always been there … players talk about it. He left the hotel without telling anyone."

"Can you imagine that in the old days with Dennis Lillee or Jeff Thompson having to tell the manager where they were going. They're in England aren't they?"

"Has he been nailed too hard on this one? If they are nailing him on the fact he has had a drink or turned up drunk or whatever well we've got a problem … but for God's sake, if you can't leave your hotel – I know there's security and I can understand in Pakistan and India – gee, but do you have to tell management where you are going everywhere now?"

"I wouldn't like to playing for Australia if I had those team rules. Are they going to school are they?"

Jones, who has served as the Indian Cricket League's Operations Manager, then amazingly argued Australia's recent series against Pakistan in Dubai was to keep Australian players away from the highly-lucrative Indian Premier League tournament, which he stresses Andrew Symonds will play in next year.

"Conspiracy theories on this are rampant at the moment," Jones said. "You can look at why we did we have an Australia v Pakistan series just recently in Dubai at the start of the IPL to stop the players playing in the IPL? The big boss is saying 'you do what I say and you play cricket when we tell you to play'."

"I just find it's Big Brother telling you what to do at the moment."

In the final controversial view Jones expressed on 3AW, he even posed the question whether kids wanted to represent the country anymore in the current climate.

"Do many kids want to play for Australia now?"

Do you agree with Dean Jones' views?

Symonds the definition of 'idiot'

Andrew Symonds Cricket Australia has detailed to 3AW Breakfast what indiscretion 'idiot' Andrew Symonds has been sent home from Australia's Ashes tour in England for committing. Read, hear and have a crack.

3AW Mornings with Neil Mitchell

Neil-Mitchell172 Neil is one of Australia’s most experienced journalists with success in newspapers, radio and television. He was one of the youngest editors of a daily metropolitan newspaper, The Herald. Enter Neil's highlights page for videos. replays and news.

Breakfast with Ross and John

RossJohn172 Ross Stevenson and John Burns entertain listeners with their razor sharp wit and oddball humour every morning. And every day the best segments of their on-air - and sometimes off-air - program are published on 3AW.com.au.

Blog comments Your Say

  • Totally agree with Deano~! When the ACB reaches the stage of treating adult players like little children, it's time they were told where to get off~! It's merely a highly visible occupation, NOT enslavement~! Get off the guy's back you pack of parasites~!

    Lenny Friday 5 June, 2009 - 11:03 PM

  • I'm afraid I agree with Dean Jones... Cricket's gone soft and personally I don't think taking the individuals out of the game will win the fans over, it's certainly lost me.... Heck, Merv Hughes, Rod marsh, Lillee, Thomo, Walters would all be cacking themselves... What a Joke.

    Spiceman Friday 5 June, 2009 - 6:34 PM

  • At least if Australia give him the arse he's got the option of continuing his brillant carrer in the IPL.
    Cricket Australia are turning in to a pack of A-HOLES. I can't believe Simo was the only one who went to watch Origin?

    Des Friday 5 June, 2009 - 5:54 PM

  • I also agree...what a sad world in which we live when compliance to contracts spills over into our every move...let he who hasn't sinned cast the first stone...stand up for your 'rights' simmo...

    Lisa Paparella Friday 5 June, 2009 - 2:37 PM

  • I agree with Dean Jones and about time someone came out in support of symo. He is so australian its not funny and the media and CA make out as if he is an achoholic with depression and he is a sinner that has committed murder. If symo has a drinking problem then david boon needs emergency rehab. Has he ever committed a crime, has he been charged by police over anything, has he been involved in drugs, sexual issues like some other codes. No he has had a drink, like most people. I wouldnt want to play cricket for australia, all the best symo

    steve Friday 5 June, 2009 - 1:04 PM

  • Gee .. I watched the origin match over a few beers as well.

    I hope my boss doesn't find out and sacks me.

    david walker Friday 5 June, 2009 - 1:04 PM

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