Queensland Cricket says won’t turn its back on Symonds

BRISBANE - Cricket powerbrokers in Queensland, Australia, have said that they will not be turning their backs on out-of-favour Australian all-rounder Andrew Symonds.

According to Australian dailies, Symonds was tipped to announce his retirement upon his return to Brisbane on Saturday, but there was no talk of quitting as he was driven away by former Queensland teammate Joe Dawes.

In a dramatic 48 hours for Symonds, who turns 34 on Tuesday, The Sunday Telegraph has learned: He has the backing of his state association, with Queensland cricket boss Graham Dixon declaring he wants Symonds on board this summer.

Cricket Australia has already informed Symonds his national contract, with an estimated base salary of 450,000 dollars for 2009-10, will be torn up;

He will be encouraged by CA to continue counselling despite the governing body severing ties with him contractually;

Deirdre Anderson, the sports psychologist who has worked with Symonds in recent months, warning the former Test star faces a “grieving process” if he pulls the pin on cricket.

Dressed in a dark blue vest, cargo shorts and thongs after flying in from Dubai yesterday, Symonds said he would weigh up his playing future this week.

“I’ve got a fair bit to consider, I suppose, and I appreciate you all coming out here this morning. I will come out and make a full, proper statement when I’ve gathered my thoughts and sat down with family and friends. I’ll let you know as soon as that is ready to happen,” he said on Saturday.ith his international career ostensibly over, it has been speculated Symonds would quit Australian cricket and play in the Indian Premier League, where he commands 1.5 million dollars for six weeks’ work.

Asked if he wanted Symonds at the Bulls next summer, Dixon said: “Certainly. Andrew has been representing us since he was 17, so half of his life he’s been part of the Queensland cricket family.”

“We like the bloke and we want to help him through this issue that’s facing him. I would expect that Andrew would be on any selection list. As far as Queensland is concerned, we aren’t on the field until October so there’s no pressing need.”

Dixon said he was more concerned about Symonds’ mental state. “Our No1 priority is Andrew Symonds the bloke. Andrew has to weigh up what sort of cricket he wants to play and he probably did that on the plane on his way home.”

CA spokesman Peter Young said: “We’ve advised him that we are not proposing to go ahead with the contract offer that we had signalled. Andrew has a lot on his mind. For the time being, the ball is in his court in terms of what he wants to do next. We are keen to encourage the private work he’s been doing with his own rehabilitation program and we’ll support him through that.” ANI)