Email Printer friendly version Normal font Large font Alex Brown in Chandigarh
October 10, 2007
ON THE recent flight from Hyderabad to Chandigarh, Shantha Sreesanth was seen reading a self-help text relating to self-control. Two days later, the fiery Indian paceman was being restrained by Australia's 12th man, Stuart Clark, after he taunted Andrew Symonds in the players' race upon his dismissal. More reading is required.
Even after his demotion from India's starting XI for Monday's one-dayer, Sreesanth was raising the ire of the Australians.
Sources within the Australian team say the Indian squad member made several aggressive gestures towards the visiting batsmen during their unsuccessful run chase, most of which were ignored.
But Sreesanth's attempt to goad Symonds after his late-innings dismissal - apparently by clapping in the Australian's face, followed by a few choice words - sparked a heated confrontation, with Clark moving in to separate the warring factions. Sreesanth denied clapping in Symonds's face or goading him. He admitted he said, "Hard luck, you're going to lose" to Symonds.
Sreesanth is understood to have approached Symonds in the narrow corridor linking the playing surface to the team dressing rooms, and Clark, in turn, reminded the Indian firebrand in no uncertain terms of his responsibilities as drinks man.
The row is believed to have continued in the aftermath of India's eventual eight-run victory, with Indian of
