Sydney - Cricket Australia is investigating an incident surrounding Andrew Symonds after he was involved in a confrontation with a patron in a Brisbane hotel on Sunday night. Symonds said he was sharing some drinks with other players and "did not in any way provoke this situation".

"A member of the public acted unreasonably towards me while I was with friends at which time I took steps to remove myself from the situation," Symonds said in a statement. "The member of the public was subsequently removed from the premises as a result of his actions."

According to Cricinfo, Symonds was reported by the Sydney Morning Herald to be drinking with players from the Australian rugby league side following the cricket team's 149-run win against New Zealand at the Gabba. The Test was Symonds's first one back following a suspension for going fishing before the one-day series against Bangladesh in August instead of attending a team meeting.

"We are getting as much information as possible to establish what did and did not happen," a Cricket Australia spokesperson said. "We understand there was an altercation."

Symonds must now wait on the outcome, which could lead to another ban or, at worst, the loss of his lucrative contract. While Symonds claims to have been provoked, some of those close to the all-rounder were disappointed he allowed himself to get into a bad position so soon after his return. The Normanby Hotel in Red Hill, where the incident occurred, is not recommended as a venue for a quiet drink in Brisbane.

He scored 26 and 20 in the first Test, did not take a wicket and held his spot in the squad ahead of Shane Watson, who was dropped for the second Test in Adelaide. In the lead-up to the game Symonds admitted he had been drinking too much before the Darwin incident.

During the two-month break from the game he underwent psychological help and returned knowing he was on his last chance. "I would also like to take the opportunity to clarify reports last week that I am being treated for alcohol addiction," he said. "I am being treated for a stress-related illness and I remain committed to dealing with these issues."

Dishonour roll:

June 2005
Turns up drunk to the one-day match against Bangladesh in Cardiff and after Australia lose he is banned for two matches. In Roy, Going for Broke he said: "I was also told in the clearest possible terms that any further misdemeanours would see me sent packing. For good."

March 2006
Asks a Super 14 rugby player to "take it outside" while at a nightclub during Australia's tour of South Africa. "I was on my way out of the VIP area when Pup (Michael Clarke) zoomed in to steer me away and calm things down," Symonds said.

2007 World Cup
In the Caribbean there's an attempt to set Symonds up. "I walked out of a nightspot and a bloke ran across the car park and slapped me in the face as we were walking into a taxi," he told the Sydney Morning Herald. "He had a bloke with a camera behind him. You get to a point where you work very hard to achieve something and when you look at it, you've got so much to lose if you make a bad mistake. You have to spare a thought - stop, and have a think - every now and then to try and prevent problems."

January 2008
Is the victim of an alleged "monkey" sledge from Harbhajan Singh at the SCG that turns into the biggest incident of the summer. Harbhajan escaped suspension on appeal and the fall-out, intense glare and feelings of being let down by Cricket Australia contributed to his problems over the past four months.

August 2008
Goes fishing in Darwin instead of attending a team meeting and is sent home before the one-day series against Bangladesh. He undergoes rehabilitation, which includes psychiatric help, and later admits he drank too much at times in the lead-up to the suspension.

November 2008
After apologising to his team-mates and undergoing a "welfare programme", he comes back into the side for the first Test against New Zealand. At the end of the match he goes to a Brisbane hotel where he claims he was provoked by a member of the public. He is back at the team accommodation by 21:30.