All he did this time was drink a few beers while watching a rugby game? When the team culture is such that drinking is considered a normal, acceptable activity, then why single Symonds out? Granted, he’s had a history of other infractions, but this incident itself was inconsequent. He was just a spectator in a rugby game, where likely half of the crowd was drinking beers. It wasn’t as if he was drinking during/before a cricket game. The cricket history is replete with tales of drinking, envious narrations of some players’ ability to consume huge amounts of alcohol, and the honorable act of fierce on-field competitors to go and share drinks in the pub after the game. Some of the teams even have alcohol makers as sponsors.
I just don’t like the idea of people sitting in judgement of others. “You dared break an arbitrary rule that we set up for you, and now we’ll penalize you”.
apparently he had a customized contract which barred him from drinking in public. CA must have taken action based on his previous mischievous endeavors.
Symonds broke CA ban on public drinking | Cricket News | ICC World Twenty20 2009 | Cricinfo.com