Symonds turns down Queensland deal

Andrew Symonds lost his Cricket Australia contract after being sent home from the World Twenty20 this month

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Andrew Symonds has been left off Queensland's list of contracted players for the 2009-10 season at his own request.

The troubled Australia all-rounder was sent home from the ICC World Twenty20 in England earlier this month for a “drink-related incident” and subsequently had a contract offer from Cricket Australia withdrawn.

He has not ruled out playing for the Bulls next season but opted against committing himself at this stage.

Queensland Cricket chief executive officer Graham Dixon said: "As we have said all along, our main concern is for Andrew Symonds the person.

"Cricket issues should take a back seat and we will let Andrew have the time and space to work out what he wants to do with his life from here.

"Andrew has been up front with us and made a very selfless gesture by advising us not to contract him.

“He knows the door is open here and we look forward to catching up with him when he's ready to have a chat about what his plans might be."

Symonds' exclusion from Australia’s Twenty20 squad was the latest in a long list of indiscretions.

Four years ago, he was barred from the Australian team for a one-day international against Bangladesh in Cardiff after arriving for the match drunk, with the team going on to suffer a shock defeat.

Having bounced back to establish himself as a regular member of both the Test and one-day teams, Symonds was in trouble again just over nine months ago when he was sent home from Darwin for going fishing instead of attending a team meeting.

After missing the October tour of India, Symonds was recalled for the Test series against New Zealand but again found himself in hot water following an altercation with a fan at a Brisbane.

Cleared of any wrongdoing for the incident, Symonds missed the latter stages of the Australian summer with a knee injury that required surgery and was again disciplined by Cricket Australia while recovering after publicly abusing New Zealand wicketkeeper Brendon McCullum.

Ruled ineligible for selection following that incident in a radio interview, Symonds was overlooked for the tour to South Africa in February and March but was recalled in April and was offered a new CA contract, which was later rescinded.