‘Utterly devastated’: Former Australia cricket all-rounder Andrew Symonds killed in car crash
SYDNEY: Swashbuckling former all-rounder Andrew Symonds has been killed in a car crash, Cricket Australia said Sunday, in another tragic blow for the sport after the recent deaths of fellow greats Shane Warne and Rod Marsh.
The 46-year-old, who played 26 Tests and 198 one-day internationals for Australia from 1998 to 2009, was involved in a single-car accident outside Townsville in Queensland state on Saturday night.
Symonds is survived by his wife and two young children.
Police said emergency services attempted to revive the driver and sole occupant, but he died from his injuries after the car left the road and rolled.
“Australian cricket has lost another of its very best,”
Cricket Australia chairman Lachlan Henderson said in a statement.
With the ball, he snared a total of 165 wickets in his international career, including 24 in Tests, 133 in ODIs and 8 in T20Is.
One of his greatest moment on the cricketing field came when he blasted 143 off 125 balls after coming on to bat with Australia at 86 for four against Pakistan in the opening ODI of the 2003 World Cup.
Symonds scored 5088 runs, including six hundreds, in his ODI career since making debut in 1998. He also featured in 14 T20Is and averaged 48.14. With dreadlocks and his face daubed with zinc cream, Symonds always cut a flamboyant figure in the Australian team.
Indian cricketing legend Sachin Tendulkar expressed grief over Symonds’ tragic demise. “Andrew Symond’s demise is shocking news for all of us to absorb. Not only was he a brilliant all-rounder, but also a live-wire on the field. I have fond memories of the time we spent together in Mumbai Indians. May his soul rest in peace, condolences to his family and friends,” he tweeted.
SYDNEY: Australian cricket was reeling on Sunday after swashbuckling former all-rounder Andrew Symonds was killed in a car crash—another tragic blow after the recent deaths of fellow greats Shane Warne and Rod Marsh.
The 46-year-old, who played 26 Tests and 198 one-day internationals (ODIs) from 1998 to 2009, was involved in a singlecar accident outside Townsville in Queensland state on Saturday night.
Police said emergency services attempted to revive him, but he died from his injuries after the car left the road and rolled.
Pictures published by the Brisbane Courier-Mail showed a vehicle on its roof and skid marks on the road.
“We are still in shock—I’m just thinking of the two kids,” his tearful wife Laura told the newspaper, referring to their young children.
“He was the most laid-back person. Nothing stressed him out.”
Cricket Australia chairman Lachlan Henderson said the sport had lost “another of its very best”.
“Andrew was a generational talent who was instrumental in Australia’s success at World Cups and as part of Queensland’s rich cricket history,” he added.
“He was a cult figure to many who was treasured by his fans and friends.”
Symonds’s fatal crash comes just months after the deaths of fellow Australian greats Warne and Marsh, who both died unexpectedly from heart attacks.
“Unfortunately I’ve been here too often this year under these circumstances. I actually can’t quite believe it, to be honest,” former Australia captain Mark Taylor told Channel Nine. “Another tragic day for cricket.”
The larger-than-life Symonds was hugely popular, not only for his hard-hitting approach to the game but also for his easy-going personality.
He was widely considered one of the most skilled all-rounders Australian cricket has seen, bowling both off-spin and medium pace, while playing many match-winning hands with his explosive middle-order batting.
Symonds was also a top-rate fielder and was a key part of Australia’s back-to-back 50-over World Cup triumphs in 2003 and 2007.
Domestically, he played for Queensland for 17 seasons, while appearing for Gloucestershire, Kent, Lancashire and Surrey in the English County Championship and for Deccan Chargers and Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League.
“Horrendous news to wake up to,” tweeted former Australian teammate Jason Gillespie. “Utterly devastated. We’re all gonna miss you mate.”
Adam Gilchrist, another former teammate who more recently commentated alongside Symonds at Fox Sports, was also in shock, saying: “Simply stunned, I can’t believe we’re in this space again the cricketing world.”
Pakistani fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar said he was “devastated” while former England skipper Michael Vaughan said: “Simmo ... this doesn’t feel real #RIP.”