All-rounder Andrew Symonds, who has won consecutive world cups with Australia, died in an unfortunate car crash according to local reports. This news follows the deaths of Australian legends Shane Warne and Rodney Marsh earlier in the year. The 46-year-old, who played 26 Tests and 198 One Day Internationals for the team from Down Under, was involved in a car accident outside Townsville in Queensland on Saturday (May 14) night.
Police said emergency services attempted to revive Symonds died from his injuries after the car flew off the road. Authorities did not name Symonds, but he was widely identified by multiple media outlets and former players before Cricket Australia posted a Tweet and released their own statement as well.
"Vale Andrew Symonds. We are shocked and saddened by the loss of the loveable Queenslander, who has tragically passed away at the age of 46," said the official tweet from the Cricket Australia's official Twitter handle.
“Australian cricket has 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 was a cult figure to many who was treasured by his fans and friends. On behalf of Australian cricket our deepest sympathies are with Andrew’s family, team-mates, and friends," said Cricket Australia Chair Lachlan Henderson in the official statement by Cricket Australia.
Meanwhile, Cricket Australia CEO Nick Hockley also shared his condolences for the Australia legend, “Andrew was a much-loved and admired cricketer in Australia and around the world. He was a prodigious talent from an early age in Queensland with his clean ball-striking ability, shrewd spin bowling and brilliant fielding. He will be sadly missed by the Australian cricket community and particularly his very close friends at the Queensland Bulls where he was a popular and much-admired team-mate and friend. Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this devastatingly sad time.”
Symonds' fatal crash comes months after the deaths of fellow Australian greats Shane Warne and Rod Marsh, both of whom died from heart attacks.
Symonds was popular among fans of the game, for his hard-hitting approach to the game. He was widely considered one of the most skilled all-rounders that Australia had ever seen and was a key member of the team that won back-to-back ICC ODI World Cups in 2003 and 2007.
But he is also remembered for the infamous "monkeygate" scandal in 2008. Symonds accused former India spinner Harbhajan Singh of calling him a 'monkey' during a Test match in 2008 in Sydney. Singh, who denied these accusations, was suspended for three matches. However, the ban was overturned when India threatened to quit the tour. The Australian player revealed at a later date that this took a heavy toll on his life, leading him to begin drinking heavily.
His Cricket Australia contract was withdrawn in June 2009 after he was sent home from the Twenty20 World Cup in England following the latest in a series of alcohol-related issues. Despite the reported animosity, Symonds and Harbhajan eventually made up and played together in the Indian Premier League (IPL) for Mumbai Indians (MI).
