Symonds decides against Queensland contract

Andrew Symonds' future at domestic level remains uncertain after he told Queensland Cricket he did not want a contract for the 2009-10 season. Symonds has still not decided whether he will be available for the Bulls next summer and if so, whether his involvement will be limited to the short formats.

Since losing his Cricket Australia deal and being sent home from the ICC World Twenty20, Symonds has been enjoying life away from cricket, including playing rugby against some retired stars. He plans to speak to Queensland closer to the start of the season to decide on any possible involvement in their 2009-10 campaign.

Symonds was one of a string of high-profile absentees from Queensland's new contract list with the veteran batsman Clinton Perren dropped along with the left-arm fast bowler Scott Brant. Aaron Nye, Michael Johnson, Worrin Williams and Dom O'Brien also did not have their contracts renewed.

Other omissions from last year's list included Ashley Noffke and Shane Watson, who have switched to Western Australia and New South Wales respectively, and the retired Martin Love and Matthew Hayden. That has opened the door for Craig Philipson to return to the squad after being overlooked last summer.

Alister McDermott, the fast-bowling son of the former Test player Craig McDermott, has been upgraded from a rookie deal to a full contract, as has the batsman Wade Townsend and the fast bowler Scott Walter. The new rookies include Ben Dunk, Alex Kemp, Chris Lynn and the highly-rated Australia Under-19 player Jason Floros, who has moved from Canberra.

Chris Simpson has retained the captaincy despite struggling with the bat last summer and the Bulls are keen for him to take more of a bowling role with his offspin in 2009-10. Queensland won the FR Cup last summer and were runners-up in the Sheffield Shield.

Queensland squad Glen Batticciotto, Ryan Broad, Lee Carseldine, Ben Cutting, Daniel Doran, Chris Hartley, Ryan Harris, James Hopes (Cricket Australia contract), Nick Kruger, Ben Laughlin, Alister McDermott, Greg Moller, Craig Philipson, Nathan Reardon, Nathan Rimmington, Chris Simpson (capt), Grant Sullivan, Chris Swan, Wade Townsend, Scott Walter.

Rookies Cam Boyce, Ben Dunk, Jason Floros, Alex Kemp, Chris Lynn.