Flip through the latest issue of Gulf Weekly.
The dropping of Andrew Symonds from the Australian squad for the Ashes may well spell the end of his career as a Test player.
But did Symonds deserve this? In context of his recent aberrations off the field, no. On current form, maybe.
The Australian selectors are probably buoyed by the success of the team in South Africa and are confident that the side will do well without the 'Bad Boy'.
But there are many players in the team who value Symonds more than the selectors do. They are aware that Symonds is a crisis man who adds solidity to the middle-order.
His more than useful off-spinners would have come in handy with the team possessing just one spinner in Nathan Hauritz.
It's just the mean streak of the Australian selectors, particularly the chief Andrew Hilditch. They have, in the past, wielded the axe with gay abandon particularly with ones who are in the twilight of their careers.
As expected, they chose the injury-prone Shane Watson ahead of Symonds. Unfortunately for Symonds, Watson has been the blue-eyed boy of the selectors.
He has managed to cobble together a career spanning eight Tests with an average of 19.76 with one noteworthy innings of 78. However, his bowling has been slightly better with 14 wickets at an average 35.57.
Watson has been supposed to deliver since his debut in 2005 and the world is still waiting.
Admitted that Watson has a bit of talent for the game. But so far, he has won more headlines for his sledging ability than his cricketing.
Watson may still prosper. He has scored a few runs in the shorter versions of the game, though injury has forced him to leave his bowling in the cold storage.
What about Andrew McDonald? The selectors stuck with him after he played a fighting innings in the final Test in South Africa in a losing cause.
McDonald is an honest cricketer who deserves a chance. But he is not in the same league as Symonds.
The Victorian all-rounder's batting abilities will always be suspect against top-class bowling. His medium-paced stuff may prove useful if English conditions stay true.
Considering the importance of the Ashes, Symonds would have been the better choice. The Australian selectors still think that their team is the best in the world. But the castle has started to crumble and Australia may find this one of the toughest Ashes on record.
The England team are already on a high after their 2-0 victory against the West Indies. They looked thoroughly professional in whatever they did and have earned a great confidence boost.
Only time will tell whether the Australian selectors were bull-headed or just plain right.
