IndiaPost.com - Teammates question Symonds' commitment

MELBOURNE: As concerns are raised over his commitment towards the national team, disillusioned Australian cricketer Andrew Symonds is unsure if he would tour India for a four-Test series next month and mulls retirement from international cricket.

"I have been asked to think about what is important to me and I will take this time to do that," said the 33-year-old Symonds, who is miffed at being sent home by the Cricket Australia for going on a 'fishing trip' instead of attending a compulsory team meeting.

"I would ask that during this time, people respect my privacy and that of my friends and family," he was quoted as saying by the 'Courier Mail'. "I would like to say thanks for the many messages of support I have received over the past day or so," he added.

His manager Matt Fearon said Symonds wanted to resume playing, but was unsure whether he would be available for the Test tour of India, which departs late next month. "Andrew's going to take some time to reflect on what's happened.

He's still committed to playing cricket at the highest level," he said in another media report. Symonds' decision and its timing would be of a great significance to the Australians as the squad for the tour of India would be picked very soon.

Australia's stand-in skipper Michael Clarke has questioned Symonds' commitment and claimed he needed time away from the game to get his act together. "The main concern for us is Andrew's commitment to playing for this team," Clarke said.

"There is a number of things that we believe as a leadership and a team that he wasn't fulfilling. That isn't just about on the field, that's off the field, that's attitude."

Symonds would lose his $500,000 CA contract if he quits the game but the highest-paid Australian player in the IPL can still earn handsomely in the Indian sub-continent by playing in the Indian Premier League or the Indian Cricket League.

NSW all-rounder Moises Henriques joined the squad as a replacement for Symonds, but chairman of selectors Andrew Hilditch said he would only play in exceptional circumstances.

But CA spokesman Peter Young said "We want to allow him (Symonds) to demonstrate he is committed to doing all those things you need to if you're to be part of the world's best cricket team".

Meanwhile, the Australian Cricketers Association are devising a strategy to assist Symonds to cope with the demands of being an elite cricketer which will include providing access to welfare counselors.