Symonds slanders McCullum on radio show

CRAIG GOLDING/Fairfax Media

OUTRAGE: Cricket columist Richard Boock believes monkeys all over the world will be outraged at the idea that they're being compared to a wild-eyed Queensland buffoon - the pictured Andrew Symonds - and stereotyped on the basis of his jester-like appearance and foolish behaviour.

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Controversial cricketer Andrew Symonds has put Cricket Australia in a bind following the latest in his long line of indiscretions.

The allrounder's description of New Zealand batsman Brendon McCullum as a "lump of shit" on a radio show is certain to stretch the patience of CA's brains trust to near breaking point.

CA officials and team management have been prepared in the past to forgive Symonds for his sins because of his enormous cricketing talent.

But this latest bout of bad behaviour is just what they don't need.

With Australia's middle order floundering in their one-day series against South Africa, selectors would have been seriously considering recalling him for the final match in Perth.

And just when they needed his services, Symonds delivered the bizarre outburst on Triple M that is expected to force CA to once again come down heavily on him.

To what extent is not known, with the matter having been referred to acting CA chief executive Michael Brown and a decision on the incident due on Tuesday at the earliest.

Cricket Australia spokesman Peter Young wasn't prepared to comment on what punishment would be dished out.

"I would not like to make any comment on where this might or might not go," he said.

"I don't think it is appropriate to discuss hypotheticals or to say anything that might inadvertently compromise the process."

Young wouldn't comment on whether the light-hearted nature of the Roy and HG programme, on which Symonds made his comments, would be a factor in their decision.

Symonds' good mate and former Australian teammate Matthew Hayden received a reprimand last summer from CA for labelling India's Harbhajan Singh an "obnoxious little weed".

But with Symonds' poor track record, he is unlikely to get off so easily.

Amongst his past indiscretions have been turning up drunk to a one-day international in 2005.

More recently was the "gone fishing" saga when he he missed a team meeting in Darwin after heading off on a fishing trip.

He was sent home in disgrace before making his way back into the national side for the test series against New Zealand.

A knee injury had sidelined him for the past three weeks and he returned to grade cricket on Saturday on the Gold Coast.

He scored a patient seven in about 25 minutes for the Gold Coast Dolphins against Redlands before school teacher Nathan Collins had him caught at slip.

He initially avoided the waiting media contingent before fronting them to confirm his knee felt fine, but declining to comment on the current fiasco.

-AAP