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Sacked Test all-rounder Andrew Symonds is fighting fit mentally and physically as he prepares for the next phase of his career as a Twenty20 cricket globetrotter.
The 34-year-old crowd-pleaser’s manager Matt Fearon said his client could potentially ply his trade in five different countries in 2010, making him one of the most sought-after players in the world.
Symonds will play for Queensland at T20 level for match payments only in December and January and is also looking at options in New Zealand, England and South Africa in addition to his Indian Premier League commitments with Deccan Chargers.
His seven-figure IPL contract underlines the Queenslander’s status as a T20 powerhouse, despite a series of disciplinary lapses with the Australian team.
“We all move on. There’s no doubt he remains one of the most sought-after Twenty20 players in the world,” Fearon told AAP on Monday.
“He’s somewhat fortunate that these opportunities are there with the IPL.”
Symonds was reportedly battling depression after being sent home in disgrace from Australia’s World T20 campaign in England in June.
But he has regained his enthusiasm for cricket, at least in the ultra-short form of the game.
The two-time one-day World Cup winner will also play for Deccan in the inaugural Champions League T20 event which starts in India on October 8.
NSW and Victoria will represent Australia in the 12-team tournament.
“His focus is Twenty20 cricket,” Fearon said.
“But if they need some experience or a little bit of help, he’s more than happy to play (Sheffield Shield).”
Fearon said Symonds had “worked incredibly hard” on the training track with NRL club Brisbane Broncos in the past month.
“The international schedule doesn’t make for a very long career. Look at what has happened to England’s Andrew Flintoff,” he said.
“Andrew Symonds’s situation has come about without having that intention there.
“But one of things that will happen from the change of direction in his career is that he’ll have the possibility of cricket with Queensland, Auckland, possible stints in South Africa and England, and he will play in the IPL.
“He’s probably looking at four to six months of cricket. His body won’t have as much wear and tear.
“Previously he probably had too much cricket.
“He’s really fresh, he’s really fit, and he’s very much looking forward to playing cricket at the elite level again.”
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