Don’t expect Symonds to be a saint, says shrink

The sports psychologist who guided Andrew Symonds said that the world can't expect him to turn 'saint' overnight.

One cannot expect Andrew Symonds back to be a saint overnight as his push for a Test recall gathered momentum, said the sports psychologist who guided the troubled all rounder to overcome his problem.

Dr Phil Jauncey said the all-rounder would continue to face major challenges as Symonds was named in a 13-man Australian squad for next week’s first Test against New Zealand at the Gabba, the ‘Daily Telegraph’ reported.

“Don’t expect him to be a saint, he has been dealing with some issues and problems and they may crop up again in the future.

Roy has made great progress in the last few months but there are some fairly complex issues involved,” Jauncey said.

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Asked whether Symonds would find it hard melding with the Australian side given residual tension over the “gone fishing” affair in Darwin, Jauncey said, “Any time you’ve been away from a side for a while there are issues.”

Jauncey was on Cricket Australia rehabilitation panel that had cleared Symonds for Test selection last week.

Symonds’ prospects of a comeback at the Gabba improved last night with Test great Greg Chappell tipping he would play. “I can’t imagine they picked him in the squad to make him 12th man. It certainly won’t unbalance the team that I can see,” Chappell said.

Symonds last night said he was a relieved man. “I earned the right to wear my baggy green cap and I lost that through my own stupidity. Now, hopefully, I can regain it and wear it with distinction,” he said.

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On the surface, Symonds’ chances of being in the starting XI appear remote given that Shane Watson performed well in India and skipper Ricky Ponting rated him Australia’s best bowler in the subcontinent.