Symonds regrets drinking session

Captain Ricky Ponting and a contrite Symonds on Wednesday

Australia's Andrew Symonds says he "regrets" visiting a Brisbane hotel last Sunday and has apologised to his team-mates for his actions.

Symonds, 33, was drinking with members of the rugby league side who had lost to New Zealand in the World Cup final.

Reports suggest he declined a request to be photographed with a fan, who tried to pick a fight and was ejected.

Symonds says he "acted appropriately" in a personal statement released through Cricket Australia on Wednesday.

"As is well known, I met friends at Brisbane's Normanby Hotel, near the Australian cricket team hotel, on Sunday after the Test finished," he said.

"I maintain that I acted appropriately while at the hotel, but I regret making the decision to visit the hotel as I realise I put myself in a compromising position.

"I have told my team-mates that I am sorry to have put them through this distraction at a time when they are trying to prepare for a Test match so soon after the Brisbane game, particularly those who were also at the hotel and were named in media reports."

606: DEBATE The Aussies desperately need Symonds in their squad - they definitely missed him in India. Now they need to cross their fingers that he continues on the right path in his rehabilitation BBC Sport's Oliver Brett

Symonds had only just returned to the Australian squad after his decision to miss a team meeting in August - when he chose to go fishing instead - saw him thrown out of the series against Bangladesh and the tour of India.

In September, the troubled Australian all-rounder was advised to get psychological help and go on a rehabilitation programme, overseen by Cricket Australia medical staff, in which he would see counsellors about his state of mind.

On Wednesday, he revealed he was "still going through a counselling process".

He went on: "It is something I want to use to help me understand how and why I behave so I can be a better person."

"Wearing the Baggy Green is an honour and being part of this group is a privilege that is important to me.

"I have learnt a valuable lesson from this incident and I know that actions speak louder than words and thatÂ’s how I will be judged."

Andrew's response when provoked was restrained and mature Cricket Australia's James Sutherland

Cricket Australia chief executive James Sutherland said he was satisfied a comprehensive investigation, including statements from hotel management, staff and patrons, supported Symonds' version of last weekend's incident.

"Andrew did not provoke that incident and when approached by the patron in question handled himself appropriately," Sutherland said in a news conference where he sat beside Symonds.

"Whilst Andrew agrees that he should have thought twice about actually going to the hotel, his response when subsequently provoked was restrained and mature."

Regarded within Australian cricket circles as a complex character, Symonds indulged in a high-profile drinking session in June 2005 during the early part of Australia's Ashes tour.

The next day he fell over in team practice before Australia's one-day international against Bangladesh in Cardiff and was dropped for two matches.

Symonds remains in the Australian squad for the second Test against New Zealand starting on Friday in Adelaide.

Spinner Nathan Hauritz will join the squad as cover for Jason Krejza, who has undergone X-rays after spraining his ankle at training.

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