‘I JUST GAVE HIM A HUG’: ROY TRIBUTE
THE mother of Test batsman Marnus Labuschagne has paid tribute to Andrew Symonds for the touching moment he gave a personal apology to her family.
Symonds and Shane Warne were busted making unsavoury comments about Labuschagne on a hot mic two summers ago.
The regrettable moment weighed heavily on Symonds, but it was his contrition and willingness to face the music which the Labuschagnes say showed his character as a person.
Symonds spotted Labuschagne’s parents entering the room at Brisbane’s Allan Border Field after Queensland’s Sheffield Shield victory last year and walked over, anxious about might be received.
His humble apology gy was met with a forgiving hug from Alta Labuschagne and immediately lifted a burden from his shoulders.
It was a poignant moment for the Labuschagnes as well, and has taken on even greater significance since Symonds’ tragic death.
“It was actually a beautiful experience. Especially now, it actually means more,” Alta Labuschagne said.
“When someone says they’re sorry, forgiveness is such a good thing. The first thing he said was ‘I’m so, so sorry for what I said – that was so uncalled for.’ And I said, ‘ no, it’s no worries mate.’
“He couldn’t stop apologising, he said he was way out of line and he’s really sorry for what he did.
“And I just gave him a hug. Sometimes people can say the wrong thing at the wrong time but just to be big enough to come and say sorry – sometimes I think people have to know that. It was a really big moment and it changed everything for me.
“I think that shows a person’s character, their real character.”
Australian women’s superstar and reigning Belinda Clark medallist Ash Gardner has also opened up about the pain of losing the man who was her cricketing idol.
Symonds was the reason Gardner started bowling off-spin as a youngster, and it was his fearless approach proac on the field which has moulded her attacking in approach to the game. g
They shared a link through women’s coach Matthew Mott, who was one of Symonds’ closest mates –
Gardner has revealed how Symonds was a regular sou sounding board for her. “Being able to t talk to your idol is something you never really even dream of, let alone having their phone number in your phone,” said Gardner.
“He sent me texts over the Ashes, around the World Cup and once I won the Belinda Clark Medal he sent me a congratulations message.
“To receive that from someone you’ve looked up to pretty much all of your junior playing career was certainly something pretty cool and the past week has been devastating.
“Watching him bat and watching him field, he just took the game on. And that’s something I’ve tried to do … it’s about taking the game on and just showing that fearless side to you.”
After the hot mic incident, Marnus Labuschagne and Symonds also bonded over a beer in Townsville last year.