Cricket
Andrew Symonds calls it a day
2012-02-16 19:03
Cape Town - Former Australia all-rounder, Andrew Symonds, has announced his retirement from all forms of professional cricket.
According to the
Cricinfo.com website, Symonds cited family reasons.
The 36-year-old hasn't played for Australia since being sent home from the World Twenty20 in England three years ago, but has turned out for several domestic sides in limited-overs cricket.
His only current contract was with the Mumbai Indians, but he will not be participating in this year's IPL.
"Effective immediately, I am retiring from all forms of professional cricket," Symonds said.
"It is with regret that I will not be able to fulfil my final year of the IPL with the Mumbai Indians. Mumbai Indians and the IPL have both been very supportive of me, but the impending arrival of my first child is a priority."
Symonds had cut ties with his home side Queensland before the 2010-11 Big Bash, and has only played for Mumbai since. He was snapped up for $850 000 at the IPL auction last year, but he had an indifferent time with the Indian team.
Symonds failed to make a half-century in either the IPL or the Champions League T20 in 2011, and struggled to hold down a permanent spot in the line-up.