Symonds apologises, promises to come back a better person

Melbourne, Sep 16 (PTI) Troubled Australian all-rounder
Andrew Symonds Tuesday apologised for the 'gone-fishing'
episode and promised to return to the side a better person.

"I apologise for some of the things I've done over the
last little bit. Hopefully I'll come out of it a better person
and not make those mistakes in the future," Symonds said in
his first interaction with the media since his sacking from
the side for lacking commitment.

Symonds preferred a fishing trip to a compulsory team
meeting, inviting the wrath of the leadership group comprising
stand-in skipper Michael Clarke, coach Tim Nielson and manager
Steve Bernard.

The 33-year-old was subsequently sent home from Darwin
where Australia played a three-match ODI series against
Bangladesh.

Symonds, who was also omitted from the squad for the
upcoming Test series against India for his indiscretion, said
he has realised his mistakes and promised to change his
attitude.

"I think I probably do need to put a little bit of
thought into some of the things I am doing," Symonds said.

"I'm in a position of responsibility and I can't live so
irresponsibly and I've realised that. It's probably taken
longer than it should have," he added.

Symonds asserted he would bounce back from the latest
setback by focussing on his cricket even as he learns to deal
with life as a public figure.

"You go from being something and you get something cast
over you which you have no control of. Being recognised and
that sort of thing is something that sometimes I deal with
well and other times I don't deal with as well," he said.

"I like my time by myself and I like my privacy, but I do
love the challenge of cricket. I'm going through the process
of trying to improve and become not only a better cricketer
but a better person," he added.

Symonds' apology comes after he was lambasted by former
greats like Steve Waugh and Shane Warne for his attitude.

The big-hitting all-rounder's commitment to the team was
also questioned with his one-time close pal Clarke being among
his most vocal critics during the entire episode.

Cricket Australia had even asked him to take a
counsellor's help to get his career back on track.