The hunger is back in Symonds, eager to return to Aussie fold

Melbourne, Nov 9 (PTI) Troubled Australian Andrew Symonds
has declared himself mentally fit for a comeback to the side,
claiming that his desire to play cricket has been renewed
following weeks of introspection after the 'gone-fishing'
misdemeanour.

Symonds, in his just-released book 'Roy on the Rise: A
Year of Living Dangerously', has claimed that he lost the
desire to play cricket on two occasions.

First was when Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh was let
off with just a fine during the Sydney race row and second
when he was shunted out of side after missing a customary team
meeting for fishing in Darwin.

But counselling and support from Cricket Australia have
prepared him for a return.

"That was my biggest worry when I came back from Darwin -
whether I wanted the challenge anymore, but I do still want
that," Symonds was quoted as saying by 'The Herald Sun'.

"For the first time I've actually sat down and watched a
little bit of cricket on TV. I've found myself sitting there
wanting to be next in to bat a few times.

"I would have loved to have had that challenge of playing
them over there. Obviously that wasn't to be, but I guess
that's also a good sign that the hunger is there and I'm
looking forward to when I hopefully can get back out there,"
he added.

Symonds said the reason why he went fishing instead of
attending the team meeting in Darwin was that he had ended up
misreading his schedule for the day.

"That wasn't a decision, it was just a mistake. It wasn't
like I went out and got drunk and had a fight. I just made a
mistake. I was in bed early, got up early to go fishing and
just misread my team sheet," he said.

"I was obviously frustrated and annoyed with the
decision, but I now can look back on it and understand that a
decision had to be made. At the end of the day, I did make a
mistake - even if it was an accident," he added.

Symonds has been regularly meeting sports psychologist
Jauncey and is also in touch with Cricket Australia chief
executive James Sutherland during his rehabilitation.

Sutherland said he is satisfied with the way Symonds has
progressed.

"Andrew understands where he is up to in this exercise
and we agree that he has made significant progress during his
enforced lay-off," Sutherland said.

"Like his many fans around Australia, we're very much
looking forward to having Andrew back. When he is up and
firing, he is one of the very best players in the world.

"I hope that it is not too long before he is again
available for Australian selection," he added. PTI PM
DEP