Melbourne, Jan. 28 : Australian all rounder Andrew Symonds may just get away with a fine for his abusive radio rant on New Zealand wicketkeeper batsman Brendon McCullum.

According to Fox Sports, the troubled cricketer can be fined 5750 dollars and may not be suspended for more serious offences under the Code of Conduct provisions.

His most serious breaches include turning up drunk for a one-dayer during the 2005 Ashes and being sent home from Darwin last year in the aftermath of the infamous "gone fishing" affair.

However, on both occasions Symonds was dealt with by the team leadership group rather than by a formal process under the Code of Conduct.

Code of Conduct commissioner Gordon Lewis will, therefore, be unable to take into account Symonds'' chequered disciplinary history when he assesses possible penalties at Thursday''s hearing.

CA lawyer Dean Kino gave legal advice that Symonds could only be dealt with as a first-time offender.

"Andrew Symonds has never been reported for a breach of the Code of Behaviour ... this will be treated as a stand-alone incident," CA spokesman Peter Young said. (ANI)