Clarke stands by Symonds

Michael Clarke is keen to see his friend Andrew Symonds back in Australia colours

Michael Clarke has offered his support to embattled Australia all-rounder Andrew Symonds, insisting he remains a valuable member of the team despite his disciplinary problems.

Symonds faces a Cricket Australia hearing tomorrow after calling New Zealand’s Brendon McCullum “a lump of s**t” during a radio interview this week.

Symonds has since said the comment was in jest as it was a sports comedy programme, but it was another black mark against the 33-year-old’s name after he opted to go fishing instead of attend a team meeting ahead of Australia’s series against Bangladesh, for which he was suspended.

He was also allegedly involved in a scuffle in a bar following the first Test against New Zealand in December, although he was later cleared of any wrongdoing.

Clarke, however, preferred to highlight Symonds’ cricketing attributes.

“As we’ve all made clear, we love to have big Symmo in the team,” he said. “He’s a wonderful player, he’s a fantastic guy. But at the moment he’s got a few things going on.

“It’s hard for me as well because I’m obviously a friend of Symmo’s. Where he’s at, I think whatever any player says is actually irrelevant.

“It’s completely up to Cricket Australia to have their meeting on Thursday and make their decision and then we go from there.

“First and foremost, he's still injured,” added Clarke, referring to the knee problem Symonds sustained last month. “So he's trying to get his injury right to come back into the team.”

David Hussey, Symonds’ team-mate in the Australia one-day side, is also keen to see him back on the field as soon as possible.

“I know (the case) is being handled by the powers that be at the moment,” Hussey said.

“From my own point of view, I just hope he gets back on the horse as quick as possible. He is a fantastic player and one player Australia desperately needs.

"I don't really know him that well; all I know is he's a lad, a great lad and he enjoys having a good time.

“But hopefully he gets back playing good, consistent cricket for Australia because he is a phenomenal player.”

The charge against Symonds is the same as that issued to the now-retired Matthew Hayden after the opener referred to India spinner Harbhajan Singh as an “obnoxious little weed” on radio early last year.