Symonds fined over radio remarks

Australian Symonds has a history of disciplinary problems

Australia all-rounder Andrew Symonds has been fined A$4,000 (£1,870) by Cricket Australia over a remark he made in a radio interview.

He swore while making a disparaging comment about New Zealand wicketkeeper Brendon McCullum.

Symonds pleaded guilty to a breach of Cricket Australia's code of conduct and was punished at a disciplinary commission hearing.

The 33-year-old had already issued an apology to McCullum for the comment.

Symonds was ruled out of the current one-day series against South Africa after having knee surgery.

He is set to return to action for Queensland in the Sheffield Shield on Friday, with the hope of being included for Australia's tour to South Africa, which comprises three Tests, two Twenty20 internationals and five one-day internationals, and starts in February.

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Symonds, who has played in 26 Tests and 193 one-day internationals, has a history of off-field disciplinary problems.

He was dropped for two ODIs on Australia's tour of England in 2005 after a high-profile drinking session.

In August 2008, he was sent home from a one-day squad after missing a team meeting to go fishing.

Then in November he had to issue an apology after he went out drinking with members of the Australian rugby league side and was involved in an incident at a Brisbane hotel.