The hunger is back in Symonds

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.

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.

HT Image

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.