The Troubled genius meets a tragic end
Australian cricket was reeling 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 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.
“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.”
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.” Symonds came into his own at the 2003 one-day World Cup with his maiden international century in Australia’s tournament-opening win against Pakistan not just a breakthrough knock, but a truly memorable one.
His selection in the squad — let alone the starting XI — was the subject of intense speculation leading into the event, but he delivered the goods.
Striding to the crease in South Africa with Australia struggling at 86-4, he guided them to 310-8 with a masterly 143 not out from 125 balls, including 18 fours and two sixes.
The innings was all the more astonishing given it came against Pakistan’s vaunted attack of Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, Shoaib Akhtar and Shahid Afridi as he announced himself to the world. While Symonds was hugely talented, he was also controversial and will forever be associated with the infamous ‘monkeygate’ affair in 2008 which morphed into a massive international sporting incident.
He accused the India spinner Harbhajan
Singh of making a racial slur during Sydney’s 2008 New Year Test, in one of the darkest days between the two cricketing powerhouses.
Singh, who denied any wrongdoing, was suspended for three matches. But the ban was overturned when India threatened to quit the tour.
Symonds felt let down by the process, and guilty for dragging his teammates into the saga. He later pinpointed it as the beginning of the end of his career as he turned to alcohol.
Among his 41 Test innings, few were finer than his 156 against England in 2006.
After Damien Martyn’s shock retirement in the middle of the Ashes series and with Shane Watson injured, Symonds was given a chance to bat at number six and he grabbed it with both hands at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
Joining fellow Queenslander and good friend Matthew Hayden in the middle with the team at 84-5, the pair added 279 runs for the sixth wicket. In typical fashion, a counter-punching Symonds brought up his first Test century with a six to demonstrate he had not only the skill, but the mindset for big red-ball occasions. — afp
We exchanged messages just hours ago... what’s really going on? Baffled and heartbroken! How could we lose another iconic figure in our sport so soon. RIP Roy. Condolences to Andrew’s family and close friends”
Brian Lara
West Indies legend
Andrew Symonds’ demise If Roy shook your hand you is shocking news for all of had his word, that’s the sort us. Not only was he a brilliant of bloke he was and that’s all-rounder, but also a why I always wanted him on live-wire on the field. I have my team. An extraordinary fond memories of the time player and even better we spent together in Mumbai human being. Can’t believe Indians” he’s gone”
Sachin Tendulkar Ricky Ponting
Indian icon Former Australian captain