Cricket: Symonds announces retirement

Australia all-rounder Andrew Symonds has announced his retirement from all forms of professional cricket, citing family reasons, according to ESPNcricinfo. Symonds, who last played for Australia at the World Twenty20 in England three years ago, will not feature for Mumbai Indians in this year’s Indian Premier League (IPL). The 36-year-old played 26 Tests and 198 One-Day Internationals besides appearing in 14 Twenty20s. Apart from being a useful off-spinner, Symonds was known with his prowess with the bat, averaging nearly 40 in ODIs at a strike-rate of over 92. “I will not be able to fulfil my final year of the IPL,” said Symonds. “The IPL and Mumbai Indians have been very supportive of me, but the impending arrival of my first child is a priority.”

Published in The Express Tribune, February 17^th, 2012.