Andrew Symonds has had his central contract offer withdrawn by Cricket Australia, who have selected Shaun Tait in his place.
Controversial all-rounder has central contract offer withdrawn, with Tait selected in his place
Controversial all-rounder Andrew Symonds has had his central contract offer withdrawn by Cricket Australia, who have selected Shaun Tait in his place.
Cricket Australia announced their decision on Friday following the sending home of the influential all-rounder prior to the World Twenty20 after the latest in a series of alcohol-related indiscretions.
Fast bowler Tait - who was controversially omitted from the original list last month - has now been added.
CA general manager of operations Michael Brown said: "Cricket Australia has advised Andrew Symonds that his contract offer for the next contract year (starting July 1) has been withdrawn.
"Selectors have convened and have added Shaun Tait to the contract list for the coming year."
Tait is currently playing in England and will link up with the Australian Ashes squad when it moves from Leicester to London next week to help out in the nets.
Important part
Selection chairman Andrew Hilditch added: "Shaun at his best is an important part of our one-day international and Twenty20 make-up and I'm sure he will now seize the opportunity presented to him with this offer of a further Australian contract."
Meanwhile, Brown said he hoped Symonds would continue to play domestic cricket in Australia.
"We've given him our full support if he so chooses to play state cricket and hopefully he's not lost to the Australian game," he said.
"He's a world-class player and if Andrew would like to play, Australian cricket would like to see him back playing for Queensland."
But Symonds, who is deciding on his future plans after fielding interest from England and South Africa, has advised Queensland Cricket not to include him on their contract list for next season.
Queensland Cricket chief executive Graham Dixon said: "Andrew has been upfront 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 was a success in the Indian Premier League, helping the Deccan Chargers to the Twenty20 title in South Africa last month and has another year left on his Deccan contract.
