Symonds is 'too Australian' - Jones

Jones' outlandish claims came in the aftermath of a dramatic 24 hours where Symonds was found to have broken team rules and was sent home, putting a massive cloud over his international future. Jones believes the culture has changed significantly from the days when he played for Australia in the 1980s and 1990s - and that Symonds had not adapted to the new circumstances.

"I think he is probably too Australian. He just had a beer and supported Queensland's big win over New South Wales - it's a culture in the team that's always been there, players talk about it. He left the hotel without telling anyone," Jones told Melbourne radio station 3AW.

"Can you imagine that in the old days with Dennis Lillee or Jeff Thomson having to tell the manager where they were going. They're in England aren't they?"

Cricket Australia have cited Symonds' long list of other indiscretions over the past five years as a significant part of the reason why he was sent home, but Jones believes the punishment is too harsh.

"Has he been nailed too hard on this one? If they are nailing him on the fact he has had a drink or turned up drunk or whatever, well we've got a problem, but if you can't leave your hotel - I know there's security and I can understand in Pakistan and India, but do you have to tell management where you are going everywhere now?"

Jones said the standards that Australia cricketers were now held to were too high and that could act as a deterrent to younger players.

"I wouldn't like to be playing for Australia if I had those team rules. Are they going to school are they?" he said.

"I just find it's like big brother telling you what to do at the moment. Do many kids want to play for Australia now?"