Yahoo News
Brisbane, Sep 16: Andrew Symonds is committed to returning to the Australian cricket team, but has no idea how long it will take to regain selection. Symonds returned to training for the Queensland state squad on Tuesday, his first official practice since he was sent home from Australia's series against Bangladesh at Darwin last month for skipping a team meeting to go fishing.
"I'm going through the process of trying to improve and become not only a better cricketer but a better person," the 33-year-old allrounder said, admitting he acted irresponsibly. "I'm looking forward to the challenge of taking up cricket again for my club, state and country, hopefully.
"I am committed to playing cricket properly," Symonds was not selected for Australia's four-test tour of India starting later this month, with Cricket Australia deciding he needed more time to consider his international future. He was stood down for arriving to a one-day international against England after a late night drinking session in 2005 and was fined on Australia's latest tour of the West Indies for missing the team bus to a venue.
A key member of Australia's World Cup winning teams in 2003 and 2007, Symonds has only become a mainstay in the test lineup since posting his maiden test hundred against England in December 2006. After an inauspicious start to his test career notching just one half-century in his first seven matches he has improved to average 44.65 in 22 tests, including two hundreds and nine 50s and taken 23 wickets.
He could get an opportunity for a recall when Australia hosts New Zealand and South Africa in test series this southern summer. Symonds apologized to his family, teammates and cricket fans for his recent behavior which sparked wide criticism, including accusations from ex-Australia vice-captain Shane Warne that he was disrespectful to his teammates.
"I would like to apologize to those people who I've let down, family members, friends, mates, sponsors and fans," he said. "I apologize for some of the things I've done over the last little bit.
Hopefully I come out of it a better person and won't make these mistakes in the future." While admitting he often struggled to deal with his public profile because he is essentially a private person, Symonds said he knew he needed to think more about his actions.
"I'm in a position of responsibility and I can't live so irresponsibly and I've realized that," he said. "It's probably taken longer than it should have.