Melbourne, Sep 6 (IANS) Pace bowler of the Australian cricket team Nathan Bracken has said their team continues to share a strong bond with Andrew Symonds despite his being sent back from the camp in Darwin.Symonds’s relationship with senior players and officials has reportedly deteriorated after he skipped a team meeting on the eve of Bangladesh series. But Bracken insists that the Australian team is a close knit unit and has offered to hear the all-rounder’s concerns.

“Whatever he is feeling, how he is, if he wants to give me a call I am happy to chat and talk about whatever he is going through,” Bracken was quoted as saying in The Australian Saturday.

“I have sent him a text this week and received a reply, as have a lot of the other boys.

“I think that is the strength of our team, and what sets Australia apart from the other teams - we stick together no matter what. We can’t leave guys as individuals, we do it together.

“Things happen that are beyond our control, whether it be an umpire’s decision or stuff off the field. The only way we can respond is as a team,” Bracken said.