Andrew Symonds: Former Australian off-roader dies at 46


Symonds played 26 Tests for Australia between 2004 and 2008, as well as 198 ODIs.

Last update: 05/15/22 9:30 am

Former Australian off-roader Andrew Symonds dies at 46

Former Australian off-roader Andrew Symonds dies at 46

Former Australian all-rounder Andrew Symonds has died at the age of 46.

Early police reports said Symonds was killed in a single car accident near Townsville, Queensland, where he lived after retiring.

In a statement, Queensland Police said: “Police are investigating a single vehicle accident in the Hervey Range, some 50 kilometers from Townsville, which took the life of a 46-year-old man.

“Preliminary information indicates that shortly after 11 p.m., the car was traveling on Hervey Range Road near the Alice River Bridge when it skidded off the road and overturned.

“Emergency services attempted to revive the 46-year-old driver and sole occupant, however he died of his injuries.”

Following the news that former Australia all-rounder Andrew Symonds has died at the age of 46, Fox Sports News' Mark Cunningham says the cricket community is in shock.

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Following the news that former Australia all-rounder Andrew Symonds has died at the age of 46, Fox Sports News’ Mark Cunningham says the cricket community is in shock.

Following the news that former Australia all-rounder Andrew Symonds has died at the age of 46, Fox Sports News’ Mark Cunningham says the cricket community is in shock.

His family released a statement to confirm the tragic news and asked for privacy.

Symonds becomes the third Australian cricket legend to die this year, after Rod Marsh and Shane Warne, who both suffered heart attacks.

Taylor: Tragic day for cricket

Australian cricket legends Mark Taylor and Adam Gilchrist led tributes to Symonds, with Taylor calling it “another tragic day for cricket”.

“I actually can’t believe it, to be honest,” the former Cricket Australia (CA) batsman and manager told the The Wide World of Nine Network Sports on Sunday.

Speaking of Symonds’ legacy as a cricketer, Taylor said he was an “artist with the bat” and an “imposing guy” on the pitch.

“He just wanted to entertain… He wanted to go out and have fun… That’s the way he lived his life,” he added.

Symonds, affectionately known as “Roy”, played 26 Tests and 212 limited caps for his country and was particularly noted for his ferocious batting in the middle order.

Gilchrist reacted with similar shock and sadness, tweeting a series of crying and distressed emojis followed by “this really hurts.” In a subsequent tweet, he wrote: “Think of your most loyal, funny, loving friend who would do anything for you. That’s Roy.”

Former England Test captain Michael Vaughan also paid tribute, simply tweeting: “Simmo… This doesn’t feel real… #RIP” with a love heart emoji.

In a statement, CA chairman Lachlan Henderson said Australian cricket had “lost another of its best”. He said: “Andrew was a generational talent who was instrumental in Australia’s success at the World Cups and as part of Queensland’s rich cricket history.

“He was a cult figure to many who was treasured by his fans and friends. On behalf of Australian cricket, our deepest condolences go out to Andrew’s family, team-mates and friends.”

CA CEO Nick Hockley called Symonds a “prodigious talent from a young age in Queensland with his clean ball-striking ability, cunning spin bowling and brilliant fielding”.

‘Symonds had an incredible cricketing intellect’

Matt Cunningham, Fox Sports News Correspondent

“Andrew Symonds is being remembered as a real character in Australian cricket. He loved playing but he also loved doing other things like fishing, hunting and walking. He was a real asset to the dressing room.

“He made the international team one day in 1998; he was born in England [Birmingham]but Australia convinced him to play for his adopted country.

“He had something of an irregular career until 2003, reaching the World Cup in South Africa – in fact, there were question marks about his position in that Australia team – but he certainly answered any criticism there might be with a terrific undefeated 143. in their first clash against Pakistan, which put them on the path to being undefeated world champions.

Symonds celebrates scoring a magnificent century against England at the Boxing Day Test at the MCG in 2006

Symonds celebrates scoring a magnificent century against England at the Boxing Day Test at the MCG in 2006

“He made his Test debut a year later, and two years later, in 2006, he made a memorable first Test century at the MCG in the Boxing Day Test against England.

“But his career was also full of controversy. In 2008, in Darwin during a series against Bangladesh, Symonds skipped training under the captaincy of Michael Clarke to go fishing. That left him out of the team for a period of time and It was probably the beginning of the end when it came to his international career.

“His wife Laura has described him as a really laid-back character, but also quite shy.

“She said he didn’t go to college and he always felt that maybe people thought he wasn’t that bright. That was unfair, because he really did have an incredible intellect for cricket, which we saw on Fox coverage here on Australia”. He clearly knew the game inside out.”




Reference-www.skysports.com

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