Former Australian cricket star Andrew Symonds died in a single-vehicle car crash in North Queensland, said the police.
Key points:
- Police say the cause of the accident is unknown.
- Former teammates paid tribute to Symonds, who was 46
- Symonds played 26 Tests for Australia and won two ODI World Cups
The versatile former Test cricketer was killed in Saturday night’s crash outside Townsville, where he was living in retirement.
Police said the 46-year-old was driving on Hervey Range Road near Alice River Bridge shortly after 11 p.m. when his car left the road and rolled away.
Rescuers tried to revive him, but he died at the scene.
Townsville Acting Inspector Gavin Oates said the cause of the crash was not known.
“It is still under investigation at this stage. Officers from the forensic unit have attended the scene and are investigating and they will prepare a report for the coroner,” he said. declared.
“The accident was actually heard by neighbors who are people living nearby who were the first people on the scene and alerted the emergency services.
“They provided whatever help they could at the time.”
Symonds played 26 Tests for Australia and won two Cricket World Cups, and is the father of two children, Chloe and Billy.
“We are still in shock – just thinking about the two children,” Laura, Symonds’ wife, told the Courier-Mail after flying from Sydney to Townsville on Sunday morning.
“He was such a big person and there’s so much of him in his kids.”
Teammates share their grief and pay their respects
Tributes poured in from the global cricket community throughout the morning, with former teammate and wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist expressing his grief on Twitter.
“It really hurts,” he wrote.
“Think of your most loyal, fun, loving friend who would do anything for you. That’s Roy.”
Ricky Ponting – who captained Symonds during his Test and ODI careers – also paid tribute to his former team-mate on Twitter.
“If Roy shook your hand you had his word, that’s the kind of guy he was and that’s why I always wanted him on my team,” Ponting wrote.
“An amazing player and an even better human being. I can’t believe he’s gone.”
Former Australian Test captain Mark Taylor said it was “another tragic day for cricket”, following the recent deaths of Shane Warne, Rod Marsh and Dean Jones.
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“I can’t believe it. Another tragic day for cricket,” he said on Channel Nine.
“Everyone had singled him out as a white baller. He wanted to prove to the world that he could play Test cricket and he did.
“He was just an animator.
“He wanted to go out and have fun.”
Former England test captain Michael Vaughan said: “Simmo…it doesn’t feel real.”
Former fast bowler and commentator Damien Fleming said: “It’s so devastating. Roy was so much fun to be around. Our thoughts are with the Symonds family.”
Former fast bowler Jason Gillespie wrote: “Awful news to wake up to. Completely devastated. We will all miss you mate.”
Cricket Australia CEO Nick Hockley also paid tribute to the “prodigious talent”.
“Andrew was a much loved and admired cricketer in Australia and around the world,” Hockley said in a press release.
“He was a prodigious talent from an early age in Queensland with his clean ball-striking ability, shrewd throwing and brilliant game.
“He will be greatly missed by the Australian cricketing community and in particular by his very close friends at the Queensland Bulls where he was a popular and much admired teammate and friend.
“Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this terribly sad time.”
Symonds was highly regarded as an explosive batsman and trick bowler in the game’s short forms, but also became a Test star, averaging over 40 with the bat after scoring two centuries.
Known as a larrikin on and off the pitch, he was a fan favorite and fell into lore in 2008 after an encounter with a streaker at the Gabba.
Symonds was also close to becoming a coach, with plans to help Warne in The Hundred competition this year, before the legendary spinner’s tragic death in March.
A moment of silence was observed in memory of Symonds ahead of the final game of the NRL Magic Round, between Wests Tigers and Nroth Queensland Cowboys, based in his adopted home town of Townsville.
Symonds was an avid rugby league fan and occasionally took part in training sessions with the Brisbane Broncos.
The junior club pays tribute to a legend
Gold Coast Dolphins Cricket Club chairman Adam Daniels said the club was “deeply saddened” by the tragic death.
Symonds had played for the team when he was 15 years old.
“I think there have been a lot of tragedies in cricket this year and Andrew was just a larger than life character and it’s shocking to hear,” he said.
“He started playing for the club at the age of 15… he represents, probably in the history of the club, one of the first players to have established himself as a junior player to play for Australia. “
Daniels said his mate always gave “200%” to the game.
“I think he’s the ultimate teammate, he would do anything for you – on the pitch and off the pitch,” he said.
“He created an atmosphere in the locker room that was fun.
“He was a fun guy to be around, but as a teammate he was fighting for you.
“I think he was ultimately one of the most talented players. He could do it all, from a hitting standpoint, (he played) at medium pace, he played in rotation, his athleticism on the field. He was just the ultimate athlete.
“I think what’s probably overlooked is his work ethic. He was probably one of the toughest coaches out there and I think that’s what led him to become a cricket tester.”
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