Symonds takes a dig at Australia team culture

Melbourne:

With Australia losing their grip on the Ashes, troubled all-rounder Andrew Symonds has added further insult to the injury by criticising the world champion's team culture that led to his unceremonious ouster from the national side.

Symonds, who has been watching the Ashes on television, said the rigid team rules still rankle him.

"I suppose you like to go out on your own terms. But the way I was, that I am, and the way the game was headed ... if you can't sit in the pub and watch a football game over a beer, if that's upsetting team rules and harmony, there's no place for me anymore," Symonds was quoted as saying by the Daily Telegraph.

"I'm not bitter. I'm not angry. It was just the way it unfolded. Now I can go and watch my footy team play and relax doing it. I would have liked to have gone out on my own steam, but it's not a train smash, mate. It's one of those things.

"I'm a keen Broncos supporter. They've been great to me, they've welcomed me with open arms. I've found it interesting to sit in on team meetings and see how they go about preparing for a game," he added.

Symonds said although he is upset with the way he was thrown out of the Australian team, he still desires to wear the baggy green.

"When I went back into the team (for the Twenty20 tournament in England), I had trained hard, I had got myself back to where I needed to be. Then it unfolded and I was sent home," Symonds said.

"I know when I came back I still had the passion to play Test cricket - I wouldn't have bothered training otherwise. I wouldn't have bothered trying to get fit again. But I'm happy with life now. It's water under the bridge. I didn't plan for it to end the way it did."

The 34-year-old all-rounder met Queensland cricket chief Graham Dixon and expressed his desire to play for the domestic side once again, a decision which was inspired by a casual chat with former Test opener Matthew Hayden.

"I'm going to play again. I've decided I'm going to play Twenty20 cricket for Queensland and I'm available if they want me for the other forms of the game," Symonds said.

"I came to the decision about two weeks ago. I went in and saw Graham Dixon and told him I was keen to come back.

They (Queensland cricket) were pleased with that decision," he said.

He, however, made it clear that he would opt out of the Sheffield Shield matches if it jeopardises an youngsters chance.