Symonds advised to seek shrinks help following Shaun Tait-like persecution complex

Australian all-rounder Andrew Symonds, who was left high and dry alone by his team-mates last year after the race row with Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh, has been reportedly advised to get psychological help. He is not likely to be picked up in the team for next months four-Test India tour.

Perth, Sept 2 : Australian all-rounder Andrew Symonds, who was left high and dry alone by his team-mates last year after the race row with Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh, has been reportedly advised to get psychological help. He is not likely to be picked up in the team for next month's four-Test India tour.

He appears to have developed a "persecution complex", said a report in perthnow.com and added it is understood that the "strife-torn cricketer" has been asked to go on a rehabilitation program overseen by Cricket Australia (CA) medical staff, in which he would see counsellors about his state of mind.

Quoting a report published in the Daily Telegraph, the portal said that it might be a similar recovery regime to that undertaken by fast bowler Shaun Tait, who withdrew from cricket in January citing mental exhaustion.

It is also understood that Symonds, sent home from Darwin after going for fishing instead of attending a compulsory team meeting, is no chance of touring India in October as he spends time deciding whether he wants to return to international cricket, added the report.

Australian cricket coach Tim Nielsen expressed his concerns about the all-rounder's attitude towards cricket, saying: "The players usually don't miss a thing and they are always early and presented as well as they possibly can. When somebody hasn't got the information that they need or hasn't turned up on time it's usually due to the fact they're away from us and the group a little bit, mentally. That always raises concerns."

According to the report, if Symonds does return to cricket, it will almost certainly be via his state side the Queensland Bulls, who play their opening Sheffield Shield game of the season against Tasmania at the Gabba on October 10.

Australia's squad for the four-Test tour of India is expected to be picked on September 13, and national selection chief Andrew Hilditch yesterday admitted he and his fellow selectors had not even discussed Symonds' prospects for India.

ANI