Symonds to part with his famous dreadlocks

Melbourne:

The dreadlocks that have become unmistakable part of Andrew Symond's colourful persona would soon be a thing of past with the controversial Australian cricketer set to shave those as part of a charity drive.

Symonds will ditch his famous five-year old dreadlocks on live TV on February 14 as part of the "World's Greatest Shave" fund-raising event.

"I am looking forward to it - I will be able to sneak around a little bit more," Symonds said.

On a more serious note, Symonds said he was saddened by the retirement of his "good mate" Matthew Hayden but made it clear that walking into the sunset is not on his radar yet.

"The day that I am worn out either physically or mentally I will just say 'that will do me'. I haven't put a time limit as to when I finish playing. Hopefully I can go on my terms rather than injury or lack of form," Symonds was quoted as saying by Australian Associated Press (AAP).

"There's only so many tokens left. Hopefully I can use them effectively and have a good end to my career," said Symonds who is recovering from a knee surgery after Australia's Test series against South Africa.

A controversial character on and off the field, Symonds said he was determined to ensure he could look back at his career with fond memories and not regrets.

"I look back and think about things but you have to fall to stand up and go again I think - and I needed that, and hopefully that has happened. I am a better person for it.

"Hopefully I can leave the past behind me, we can make this a new chapter. I feel like this is the final chapter of my cricketing career coming up so hopefully I can play some good cricket, finish well and look back on my career which has been interesting but also very enjoyable."