Thaindian News

Melbourne, Apr 9 (ANI): South Africa captain Graeme Smith has said that the return of Australia’s troubled all rounder Andrew Symonds to international cricket has to be managed carefully because it has the potential to be “disruptive”.

Symonds, who clashed with Smith at a Cape Town nightclub during Australia’s 2006 tour, has a long history of alcohol-related incidents and has been recalled to Australian one-day side following a troubled summer and a knee operation.

“He has a lot of experience, he has played a lot of key knocks for them at five. He does provide them with a little bit more balance I guess, he gives them a few bowling options. He’s a great fielder,” FOX Sports quoted Smith, as saying.

“In terms of a cricketer, I think they’d love to have him back. I don’t really know how he’ll impact the team in his personality and what has gone on, how that’s going to affect the team environment.

“It can be disruptive if he still has issues and it can disrupt other players. So I guess how they manage it is going to be the key,” Proteas skipper added.

Smith said he was nervous about how Herschelle Gibbs would fit back into the team environment after completing a month-long alcohol rehabilitation course in early January.

“You always have apprehension when Herschelle is coming back into the team environment,” Smith said of his opening partner.

“But I think the key is Herschelle has taken responsibility for himself. He has really fitted back into the (team) environment, he has handled himself extremely well since he has come back,” he said. (ANI)