Our readers have written back on whether the decision to send back Andrew Symonds has affected the Australian team.

The axing of Symonds was followed by a breach of team rules involving alcohol and then he was sent back home.

And after their ignominious exit from the ICC World T20, Australian skipper Ricky Ponting on Tuesday said they badly missed Symonds.
Our readers on espnstar.com had their say on the issue. The best picks follow. Read on.

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Praveen Singh: Yes, it true that Australia lost because Andrew Symonds was sent back. He is the only player in the present Australian squad who has the power and capability to hit fours and sixes.

Mrigank Pandit: T20 is a format where only one innings or over can change the wind of the match. That is why I don't think Australia got too affected by Symonds' absence. Symonds should have been punished so that the upcoming generation doesn't repeat the same mistake.

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Faisal Qureshi: I don't think it was the right decision to send 'Roy' back home, especially during the tournament as it would have obviously distracted the team.

Aditi Sharma: Ever since Matthew Hayden and Adam Gilchrist retired, there has been a void as there are no batsmen who can destroy the bowling attack. And if in such a situation, the Aussies had the courage to send back a player like Symonds, then they deserve to be out of the tournament.

Zafar Rizwan: He could not be kept in the team as it would have set a wrong example to others. If players like Shane Watson, Hussey brothers, James Hopes and Mitchell Johnson could not make a difference then Symonds would not have too.

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Retta Chavan: Australia definitely missed a quality all-rounder like Symonds.

Vasim Pathan: Australia without Symonds are like a ship without captain. Nobody is as strong as Symmo, especially in the T20 format. No one doubts that he was wrong but sending him back to home was a big mistake.

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Our take at espnstar.com: Andrew Symonds, without a ray of doubt, is the most fierce hitter of the cricket ball in the world. However, his conduct has been a cause of concern for way too long. The Aussies maybe out of the ICC World Twenty20 but by sending Symonds back home, they have shown why they value discipline so much. They could have hidden the issue under the carpet and dealt it with after the event but they faced it head-on. 

Did Symonds' exit result in the entire Aussie team having to take an early flight home? Maybe yes but Cricket Australia deserve a thumbs-up for sheer courage. 

Our current debate: How does it feel to watch a world championship without Australia in the fray? You know where to write in with your thoughts. Write in to us at: fanspeak@espnstar.co.in