Simon,

What planet have you been visiting!! How on earth did you come to the conclusion that Andrew "Roy" Symonds is not popular here in Australia. The rest of the article has some uncomfortable home truths. I was not comfortable when Symonds/Ponting/Clarke (disgraceful) stood their ground. Or when Gilchrist appealed for the catch off Dravid (Gilchrists ethics need to be questioned here).

david, sydney, australia

On Sunday I decided to buy the Times rather than the Telegraph. I wont make the same mistake again. Simon Wilde's article is ignorant and unbalanced. He clearly has no idea of Symonds almost universal appeal in Australia. Australia's on-field behaviour has improved significantly under Ricky Ponting. Wilde's "evidence" of Ponting's poor behaviour (the "Gary Pratt incident") is ridiculous. Every other commentator points to the fantastic spirit in which the 2005 Ashes series was played. England were deserving winners and the Aussies were dignified in defeat. It is up to the umpires to give a player out. To assert that not "walking" is somehow a trait unique to Australians is bewildering. Similarly, anyone who has played cricket knows that sledging exists in various forms at all levels (Graeme Smith's complaints were the height of hypocrisy by the way). For Wilde to somehow equate (or justify) Harbajan's allegedly racist comments is a disgrace. V. poor journalism.

Alex, London, England

I have been a fan of Australian cricket for as long as I can remember. And that must be over 50 years now! For that reason alone I feel disappointed by whats happening these days with this team. Their behaviour in this test has been disgraceful. No this is not because India lost, but because I think cricket lost a lot more.

Without a doubt, the umpires ruined a great match, surely some of the Australian players could have redeemed the situation by their own honesty? I applauded when Gilchrist walked, during a world cup semi-final at that. One of cricket's finer moments. Ponting and Symonds represent the new low that they have wrought on the game and the reputation of this particular team.

That being said, I still consider the Australian people as the most sporting in the world, they retain my faitjh in the game. The way they stood to a man to applaud Sachin and Laxman is the true spirit of this game and this great sporting nation. Well done!

DK Cooper, Pune, India

Simon Wilde, are you telling us that the Aussies are the only ones who sledge and dont walk? Who are you kidding. Yeah sure they sledge and the press around the world make out they are the only country to do so.
There is a difference between sledging and racial abuse and I'm sure if the boot was on the other foot the captain of the other team would have a duty to protect his player from it.
Symonds is loved by all cricket fans I know and
I'm sure "Roy" likes a drink just like your Freddy does!!

Louie, Sydney,

the simplest way to prevent these 'racist' sledging remarks from getting in the way of what appears to have been an exciting cricket match is to ban sledging. the aussies, just like all the other teams are hypocrites when it comes to how they are affected. they want to win by whatever means but complain if debatable tactics are used against them. look at england in the summer, look at pakistan the year before, look at zim bowling miles down leg years ago to prevent an england victory... every team has previous

chris, manchester,

Not sure who your correspondent has been talking to, but Andrew Symonds is an extremely popular player in Australia.

He has lead roles in television commercials for at least 3 major cricket sponsors - would they pay an unpopular player to endorse their products?

Luke, Melbourne, Victoria,

Aussie supporters are huge fans of Symonds, in fact I can't recall speaking to an Australian supporter who does not hold Symonds in the highest regard. Yes, he has had his indescretions in the past but these are exactly that, in the past. This week it was Singh who was charged for racial taunts, not Symonds. Put 100 Aussie cricket fans in a room and actually ask the question regarding your claims and I guarantee you'll leave that room with your tail between your legs, we love the lad! Incidentally - amazing win today by Ponting's boys, they played the game to win and did exactly that. Hats off to Ricky Ponting for playing attacking cricket.

David Reid, Sydney, Australia

Having been an Aussie expat for several years, I was back in Australia over Christmas and sorry, Roy is the most popular Aussie cricketer -- hands down. Not quite sure what your sources are.

Also he wasn't 'allegedly' racially taunted in India, the fans were arrested after police photos PROVED they were racially taunting Symonds. Once again, your showing little research for a 'journalist', or perhaps just some strange bias or sour grapes because Roy is playing so well. Very odd article based on no facts. And very odd that the Times would publish such a load of rubbish.

Peter, Dubai, UAE

I hate to say it, but that all sounds like the bleatings of a country who got thumped 5-0 by the Aussies last year and are heading south quickly.

First and foremost, Symonds is much loved in Australia as can be evidenced by his appearance in many TV adverts at the moment. As for two lives, well I admit that he nicked it on 31 but the stumping chance was a line ball call and could never have gone against him with any clear conscience.

As for walking etc, I didn't see any Englishmen calling Gilly back lasy year when he missed the ball by a foot against James Anderson.

England have plundered the African countries looking for their players so please let's not bring Symonds heritage into it. And Harbajhan stands accused of using the monkey term employed clearly by the Indian crowds last year so let's not try to shift the blame for that one. Symonds was exemplary in his lack of response to that in India and has a right to defend himself against that sort of rubbish now.

Steve Fraser, Perth, Australia

It's always hard when you are number one.
Have you ever watched India field. They are a group of individuals who put themselves above team. Tendulkar gives the impression that he is too good a batsman too actually have to chase a ball.
At least the Aussies give their best every minute of every game.
The second test was not a good contest partly because the strip was set up to give the bat (including Tendulkar) the edge.
And just look at the depth. Some say that the best 'tests' would be between the top four Aussie teams.
At the end of the day it's only a game.

Steve Hill, Sydney, Australia

Strange article. Andrew Symonds is easily the most popular active cricketer in Australia at the moment. I don't think he really has any competition to be honest. Every time he goes out to bat he gets the biggest reception by a long way. I gather this sort of rubbish journalism will become more frequent as the next Ashes series approaches, but I can't see that it would have any impact particularly.

Don Roberts, Brisbane,

I think cricketers - particularly the Aussie team should learn a bit from the game of golf. This test has been a poor reflection on Aussies sportsmanship - with Symonds admitting he got lucky but did not feel the need to walk!! Also the first time I have seen an umpire ask the opponent team's captain (Ponting) for a ruling on a catch. This seems rather naive given Symonds previous admission.

Vivek, Singapore

Vivek, Singapore,

Though the Australians have won the test, they have lost the awe and respect they used to command, including an Indian like me. Adam Gilchrist used to be one of my idols in life until this test which among many incidents showed Adam jumping for dravid's wicket. How cruel was that. I am happy that Steve Waugh, another of my idol, is not in this team. Ponting may have equalled the record, but he cannot even come close to Waugh. They just wanted to win and get that record even at the cost of fair play. Though the current Austalian captain never had the same place, I used to admire the passion he had for the game. He has lost it too with the 'dobber' incident and its better not to mention Andrew Symonds lest i may be a labelled a racist.
Indians deserved a draw, if not a win, but the conspirators including the umpires let them down. Well played Bucknor and Benson! Happy Partying down under you two.

Naresh, Mumbai, India

Australians admire Andrew Symonds as a cricketer and as an Australian

Ken, Melbourne, Australia

Simon,
"Symonds struggles to win hearts and minds"!??? God help us if he succeeds - if he were any more popular our grand kids will grow up up with a diet of media with titles like "Slam it like Symonds". Now that would never happen in England would it ....?
... and yes, Alan of Sydney, Gilly has long been, without doubt, Australia's most admired cricketer for the way he plays the game and for many their favourite cricketer (including me) but Roy must be at very least challenging he, Ponting and one or two others in terms of "popularity" at this time - you would have to be blind Freddie to have missed the ovations Roy has received in recent months in all forms of the game.
Of course his, at times disarming, honest ('I am not a walker' and 'yes, I was out' - there are many hypocrites in cricket as elsewhere but he is not one of them) may not please all but in a way it is but one of his exceptional yet vulnerable characteristics which do win those hearts and minds you speak of.

Neil, Melbourne, Australia

Has Wilde been hanging out with Pete Doherty lately?Listen to the crowd whenever Roy walks out to bat. He is more popular than the Beatles!

Adam, Melbourne, Vic

What can I say, a typically misinformed view point from England. I would echo the other comments; Roy is a much admired Aussie cricketer. He is a tough, uncompromising player, traits that have long been admired here in Australia. In fact if the English team had had half his determination when the played here they may have managed to put up a fight rather than capitulate the Ashes 5-0

Charlie, Sydney, Australia

This is absolute crap!
Roy is without doubt the most popular cricketer in Australia right now and possibly one of the most in the history of Australian cricket. He is the ultimate cricketer with the ability to bowl spin and medium pace, bat agressively or defensively and is a top class fielder as well as being a top bloke. As for him not taking our hearts because he's not a 'true blue' aussie, to me he is a perfect example of that exact thing. You pommie bastards are still crying over the flogging you copped last ashes series and for many ashes series to come. Go Aussies!!! Go Roy!!!

Rana Singh, Shepparton, Australia

Simon Wilde is right on. Symonds is not Australia's favourite cricketer. The jury is out on him. And it will stay out until he shows a hint of sportsmanship. Adam Gilchrist is easily the most admired and that's largely because he will walk and he let's his performance do the talking. For most Aussies, me included, the most popular man in this test was Sachin Tendulkar. That's why the entire SCG stood and applauded for five minutes when he reached a century. He was cheered onto the field and off it. Don't let a few of my bigoted fellow countrymen tell you any different.

Alan, Sydney, NSW

Dead wrong mate. What Australians admire is grit and determination. Symonds ankle is buggered at the moment (couldn’t bowl at all day three) but he took the ball and bowled this afternoon because that’s what the team needed, despite the certainty of prolonging the time it will take to heal. He wouldn’t have won any fans today however, we were all sold long ago.

Sam, Adelaide, Australia

I think you'll find Andrew Symonds is one of the most popular cricketers in Australia. I also think its a stretch to call him english, although the poms have no trouble calling Pieterson english, still what else can you expect from the poms, how about you break with tradition and stop whinging about Australia's cricketers and concentrate on trying to win a test yourselves. Although if Symonds did play for England no doubt he'd have a knighthood by now!! like the rest of the English team who managed to take a wicket or score more then 50 against Australia.

d.Grant, Sydney, Australia

It is only Aussies who could find players of the calibre and repute of Roy. His test record is pathetic, 700 runs in 20+ innings! No wonder he stood his ground, with Katich and Hodge breathing down his neck he had to be so demeaning to remain at his crease even when he snicked to the keeper. Other than being a bully, his contribution is nil to the Oz cause. Ponting and his bunch are common road-side goondas no better than a pack of hungry hyenas devouring someone else's kill with relish.
Shame on you Aussies!

Khadeland

Khadeland, Sydney,

You whiners are pathetic! An Indian who cannot handle the fact they can't beat Australia, not even in their own country and a Saffa who looks on past glory for self gratification! Grow up and appreciate a truly brilliant sporting team! They will always beat you just because they want it that much more than you lot!

The Dude, London, UK

When Australia steps on the cricket pitch in Australia they always go on with two extra players ,the umpires! coupled with the biased Aussie press that hits the visiting team the moment it steps on Australian soil and you have a potent mix capable of winning endless tests.....the team don't care how they win as long as they win ,thats the reason why the Australian team will never be liked as people can see through their wins and the character of the team.

joseph akeda, sydney, australia

I don't know who you've been talking to, probably some of those Pommie cricketers that have sunburned mouths from watching Andrew's sixes off their bowling in 2006. "Roy" is the most popular cricketer in Australia for good reason. Not only is he a superb batsman, brilliant fielder and excellent bowler, he is also a witty, dry, amusing and HONEST down to earth guy. He tells it how it is, no matter what "it" is. He is much loved by all his teammates for his laid back personality, dry wit & calming presence. He is adored by Australian cricket fans for all this & more. He plays hard and he sure does chirp opposition players when he knows it will unsettle them, just like 99% of Aussie cricketers past & present AND most players worldwide (who maybe are less open about it or less skilful at it)
Ask any Aussie cricket fan how loved Roy is !!!

Debra, Sydney, Australia

Ponting wants to win again today....at any cost , even if it is Singh's reputation. He will take any distraction he can to put the Indians off there game. He and his side are a mean lot . They never leave it on the field and use the one eyed Auz press as there hit men. Well done India for pushing them as far as you have

Stephen, Cape Town, South Africa