ANDREW Symonds has apologised for calling New Zealand wicketkeeper-batsman Brendon McCullum a “lump of s***” during a radio interview.
The controversial Symonds was recently barred from playing by Cricket Australia because he missed a team meeting when he went on a fishing trip.
 Symonds has also been treated for alcoholism. He had reportedly been drinking before he went for the interview on live radio.
His jibe at McCullum was made after New South Wales had signed the Kiwi for the domestic Twenty20 series.
Symonds will hear on Tuesday how Cricket Australia feels about his latest outburst.
If he is barred again, he could miss the tour to South Africa and Aussie captain Ricky Ponting is eager to have the allrounder back in the team.
“No one can ever doubt his cricket ability and talent and his match-winning abilities, so hopefully everything keeps progressing with him and his fitness, and we can get to the bottom of this issue and move on and let him worry about his cricket,” said Ponting.
Symonds has been out of cricket following a knee injury, but he has reportedly recovered in time to be considered for the South African tour.
Meanwhil McCullum said he had no hard feelings towards Symonds.
“I’m not worried what people have to say and certainly not offended by it at all,” he sai.
McCullum did not have much impact on the T20 final against Victoria, hitting 10 from 11 balls opening the innings, but New South  Wales won by six wickets. If McCullum’s Indian Premier League team, Kolkata, fails to qualify for the Champions League, the Kiwi will be free to play for New South  WalesNSW in the lucrative event.

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