IANS

New Delhi, Jun 20: Former Australian captain Steve Waugh Friday gave a peek into the mind of his troubled compatriot Andrew Symonds, saying the Queenslander thrived on the support of his state-mates.

The all-rounder had been involved in a series of off-field breaches of discipline which resulted in him being sent for a rehab for drinking and psychological related problems.

He was dropped from the Ashes squad but had a crevice of hope to prove his point in World Twenty20. But the Australian's sagging career received a telling blow when he was sent back from England ahead of World Twenty20 because of another alcohol related controversy.

Waugh described Symonds as a "simple guy who loves to go for fishing and hunting."

"Symonds was quite close to coach John Buchanan and Matthew Hayden, both from Queensland. He loves to be in close support. But you have to maintain team discipline and he breached that. He made promises and then could not keep them, " Waugh said.