Symonds fined for McCullum slur

Andrew Symonds again apologised for his remark about Brendon McCullum

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Australia all-rounder Andrew Symonds has been fined for the insulting comment he made about New Zealand wicketkeeper-batsman Brendon McCullum in a radio interview.

The 33-year-old pleaded guilty and was fined Aus$4,000 by Cricket Australia code of conduct commissioner Gordon Lewis following a hearing at CA headquarters in Melbourne today.

Symonds called McCullum a “lump of s***” following his recruitment by New South Wales to contest last Saturday's final of the Twenty20 Big Bash against Victoria.

"Whilst the comments were intended to be light-hearted, I acknowledge that they were careless and, as such, I accept the fine that I have received today," Symonds said.

"I want to again apologise to Brendon McCullum for my comments and thank him for his understanding.

"I want to reinforce that I remain committed to Cricket Australia and Queensland Cricket and I look forward to putting this matter behind me so that I can focus on my cricket."

Symonds' future is expected to be discussed at a meeting of the CA board scheduled for next Tuesday.

Chief executive James Sutherland, attending the Prime Minister's XI match against New Zealand in Canberra, said he wants to consult with Symonds' counsellor to get a better understanding of how his rehabilitation from alcohol problems is progressing.

"I certainly see that this is a setback along the way but we need to get a better understanding of things and make some informed judgements going forward," Sutherland said.

Symonds was referred for counselling when he was suspended from the Australia team last year following the 'gone fishing' affair.

Speaking ahead of the fine announcement, Australia captain Ricky Ponting offered his full support for Symonds.

"He's a great mate of mine and a team-mate of mine for a long time, so through this whole process he's got the support certainly of me and his team-mates," said Ponting, preparing in Perth for the fifth and final one-day international against South Africa.

"We just hope that he continues to do the counselling work that he needs to do and that he can come through the other side a better person. That's what it's all about for us."