Former Australia Test all-rounder Andrew Symonds has revealed that he is no more in talking terms with one-time close mate and vice-captain Michael Clarke and their friendship is over in the wake of his tumultuous exit from the national team.
Clarke and Symonds were one of the closest friends in the national team following Australia's tour of Bangladesh in 2006. But cracks in their friendship started to develop last year when Clarke was part of the leadership group that sent Symonds home for going fishing during a training camp in Darwin.
"I haven't talked to Michael for a long time. I wouldn't know what he's up to," Symonds was quoted as saying in the Sunday Telegraph.
Asked if he was still friends with Clarke, the 34-year-old Queenslander said, "No, I'm not. A lot of people have asked me what Michael is like. The way he is being portrayed is interesting because people are asking me a lot about him. I don't know the answer. I'm not in the inner circle anymore. I'd be guessing if I answered that."
"It was a number of things. I guess we just didn't pan out like we would have or should have. I haven't heard from him. We've gone our separate ways and that's the way it has stayed. That's all right, though," said Symonds.
Clarke, however, declined to comment on the matter but said he made a series of attempts to repair his relationship with Symonds that includes pushing for his recall to the Australian side for the ODI series against Pakistan in Dubai in April.
Symonds might have lost his CA contract but in a week he is expected to make his comeback for Queensland in a Twenty20 Big Bash showdown with Victoria.
The all-rounder also lamented the loss of characters in Australian cricket, saying the top players have lost touch with the fans as they are too busy in maintaining their image.
"They (Cricket Australia) can't rely on great players now to attract crowds. Isn't there a big mob of marketing people working out there?" he said.
"Players are very stiff now on what they can say. They are very calculating on how they answer their questions and I think the public would appreciate seeing some characters and players who are being honest with their answers, rather than giving some stereotypical answer.
"They want to see some free spirits. Whether we will get that, I don't know. A lot of players worry about what is written about them, rather than giving an honest answer. I think people would appreciate some honesty (rather) than a yes sir, no sir, three bags full sort of thing. If you have an opinion, as long as it's not poisonous you should be able to give it," he added.
