Greats pay tribute to tragic Symonds
AUSSIES’ FORMER ALL-ROUNDER DIES IN CAR ACCIDENT
RICKY PONTING and Sachin Tendulkar led the tributes to former team-mate Andrew Symonds after his death in a car crash, aged 46.
Symonds was one of Australia’s greatest all-rounders and his passing comes less than three months after that of Rod Marsh and ShaneWarne.
Known as ‘Roy’ or ‘Simmo’, the hard-hitting middle-order batsman, who also bowled spin and seam and was a terrifically athletic fielder, won World Cups with Ponting in 2003 and 2007.
A popular member in dressing rooms, including at four counties, Symonds, right, died in a singlevehicle car crash near Townsville, North Queensland, on Saturday.
Ponting said: “If Roy shook your hand you had his word.That’s why I always wanted him on my team.
“An extraordinary player and even better human being. Can’t believe he’s gone.”
Symonds played for the Mumbai Indians with Tendulkar in 2011 after three years at the Deccan Chargers.
The India icon tweeted: “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. May his soul rest in peace.”
Born in Birmingham before being adopted by Ken and Barbara as a baby, the Symonds family emigrated to Australia soon after.
A return to England to play for Gloucestershire in 1995 was so successful he was picked for England A but turned down the chance.
He went on to play 26 Tests in the Baggy Green, hitting 156 – his maiden Test hundred – in the Boxing Day Ashes Test of 2006.
There were also tough times such as when his Afro-Caribbean/ Scandinavian heritage posed racial issues. A 2008 scandal involved an alleged racial slur by Harbhajan Singh though they later became IPL team-mates. Symonds’ heavy drinking was blamed for his later removal from the Australia set-up.
Symonds leaves a wife, Laura, and children Chloe and Billy.