Symonds admits rediscovering 'love' for cricket as he readies for coaching stint

Former Australian all-rounder Andrew Symonds has said that he is rediscovering his love for the game as he gets ready for his first venture into coaching.

Symonds, who has distanced himself from cricket since bringing down the curtain on his decorated, and at times controversial, career three years ago, will reportedly enter coaching with domestic side Queensland at the national under-19 championships in Adelaide from January 12-22.

The all-rounder warmed up for the gig by serving as a mentor for the North Queensland side that won the Bulls Masters Country Challenge on Sunday, and admitted that he was finally ready to let cricket back into his life, News.com.au reported.

Symonds said that he is happy to be around cricket, adding that when he first finished he didn't want to be anywhere near it.

Symonds, who played 26 Tests and 198 ODIs for Australia, said that once his career ended he was over cricket, adding that he just wanted to get away from it and relax.

He claimed that he has got a couple of little kids, so he wanted to spend some time with them and to kick back and think about what he wanted to do next.

Symonds admitted that the only sort of direct involvement he has had has been through the Bulls Masters, adding that Jimmy Maher kept bugging him, so when he felt ready he had a run with them and enjoyed it.

Symonds claimed that he has had a few years where he has not done a great deal and now it's time to sink his teeth into something a bit more serious.