Tait wins Symonds' torn-up contract

Shaun Tait has emerged as the big winner from Andrew Symonds' downfall after Cricket Australia confirmed Symonds' contract had officially been revoked. Tait has replaced Symonds on the 25-man contract list having been surprisingly overlooked when the initial offers were made.

The official removal of Symonds from the Cricket Australia stable was a formality and has all but assured the allrounder's international career is finished. In 2005, Symonds was told his contract would be torn up if he had any more off-field indiscretions but despite a series of incidents it has taken four years for Cricket Australia to live up to its threat.

The decision is good news for Tait, whose ongoing injury battles and his desire to focus on the shorter formats left him as a less attractive option than in previous seasons. However, Tait was chosen for next month's Australia A series against Pakistan A, and his return to the contract list confirms he is still in Australia's plans.

The chairman of selectors Andrew Hilditch said: "With Cricket Australia now withdrawing its previous contract offer to Andrew Symonds, Shaun Tait has moved into a position where he has been offered a CA contract offer for 2009-10 under the rankings system CA uses to offer contracts to players.

"Shaun at his best is an important part of our one-day international and Twenty20 make-up. I'm sure he will now seize the opportunity presented to him with this offer of a further Australian contract."

Tait is currently in England and will return home for the Australia A series, which will be held in Queensland. Symonds is still considering his future and whether to pursue a career as a Twenty20 freelancer.