5 famous players whose careers ended because of controversies

#3 Andrew Symonds

Andrew Symonds

Andrew Symonds is another example of a player whose career ended in controversial circumstances.

An all-rounder who could produce sensational performances when in the mood, Symonds played 26 Tests, 198 ODIs and 14 T20Is for Australia between 1998 and 2009.

The Australian was an intimidating presence on the field with his burly figure and long dreadlocks. On the playing front, Symonds was a destructive batsman who could hit towering sixes at will. He was also a gifted bowler who could take wickets with both medium-pace and off-spin deliveries.

But his career was hampered by a series of controversies that started in 2008.

The first such incident occurred during the SCG Test versus India in January of that year. On the third day of the match Symonds and Harbhajan Singh got involved in a heated altercation, after the latter allegedly called Symonds a ‘monkey’.

Singh was given a three-match ban by match referee Mike Procter, but managed to get it overturned.

The incident had a lasting impact on Symonds, who felt that Cricket Australia (CA) had not supported him enough. His career trajectory and confidence subsequently plummeted lower and lower.

In August 2008 he went fishing and consequently skipped a team-meeting, getting banned for a couple of months as a result. In early 2009, Symonds was disrespectful towards former New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum during an infamous interview.

After another alcohol-related incident during the T20 World Cup 2009 in England, Symonds was sent home and he announced his retirement soon afterwards. It is unfortunate that the enormously talented Symonds’ career had to end on such a sour note.