Andrew Symonds, considered one of the greatest all-rounders from Australia, passed away after a car accident, aged 46.
Symonds was a hard-striker of the ball while batting, making him perfect player for Australia’s One-Day International team. But he was also handy with the ball, able to switch between off-spin and medium pace bowling. His fielding too was impeccable, as he had a knack for direct hits.
It’s such a skill-set that saw him don Australian colours in 198 ODIs and 26 Tests.
The two-time World Cup winner was involved in a single-car accident outside Townsville, Queensland on Saturday night. He was the sole occupant of the car, reported AFP. His death comes just a few months after Australia greats Shane Warne and Rodney Marsh passed away due to heart-related issues.
“Unfortunately I’ve been here too often this year under these circumstances. I actually can’t quite believe it, to be honest,” former Australia captain Mark Taylor told Channel Nine. “Another tragic day for cricket.”
“He hit the ball a long way and just wanted to entertain. He was, in a way, a little bit of an old-fashioned cricketer,” another former Test captain and one of their all-time greats Allan Border told the Nine Network. “He was an adventurer. Loved his fishing, he loved hiking, camping. People liked his very laid-back style.”
Andrew Symonds, Australia’s World Cup-winning allrounder, dies at 46 in a car crash
Off-field, though he had his alcohol-related problems towards the end of his career, Symonds was popular for his friendly persona and had a cult hero status.
Here’s a look at some stats from his stellar career:
Andrew Symonds 🇦🇺
— Fox Sports Lab (@FoxSportsLab) May 15, 2022
ODI World Cup matches: 18
Runs: 515 @ 103.00 average
4s/6s: 51/10
HS: 143* (125) v Pakistan at Johannesburg in 2003 (his first ODI century)
Never lost an ODI World Cup match (18 wins)
2003 & 2007 ODI World Cup winner#RIPRoy
Vale Andrew Symonds
— Swamp (@sirswampthing) May 15, 2022
Players to score 10,000+ First Class runs before making their AUS Test debut
15,313 - Mike Hussey
12,679 - Brad Hodge
10,834 - Adam Voges
10,571 - ANDREW SYMONDS
10,267 - Darren Lehmann
10,193 - Martin Love
@CricketAus
Andrew Symonds ODI stats overseas
— Kausthub Gudipati (@kaustats) May 15, 2022
in SA🇿🇦 - 94.80 avg, 96.53 SR
in SL🇱🇰 - 73.60 avg, 84.40 SR
in ENG🏴 - 59.12 avg, 92.56 SR
in WI🏝️ - 56.81 avg, 87.41 SR
in IND🇮🇳 - 42.50 avg, 96.59 SR
in NZ🇳🇿 - 38.72 avg, 114.82 SR
(countries with min ten innings)
Here’s how his fellow cricketers and the cricketing community paid tribute to him on social media:
If Roy shook your hand you had his word, that’s the sort of bloke he was and that's why I always wanted him on my team. An extraordinary player and even better human being. Can’t believe he’s gone. Thoughts are with his family at this time. pic.twitter.com/7r7FiK1CzK
— Ricky Ponting AO (@RickyPonting) May 15, 2022
Think of your most loyal, fun, loving friend who would do anything for you. That’s Roy. 💔😞
— Adam Gilchrist (@gilly381) May 15, 2022
Shocked to hear about the sudden demise of Andrew Symonds. Gone too soon. Heartfelt condolences to the family and friends. Prayers for the departed soul 🙏#RIPSymonds
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) May 15, 2022
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 in Mumbai Indians.
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) May 15, 2022
May his soul rest in peace, condolences to his family & friends. pic.twitter.com/QnUTEZBbsD
As we mourn the loss of former Australian all-rounder Andrew Symonds, we take a look back to his tremendous 143* against Pakistan at the 2003 World Cup.#RIPRoy pic.twitter.com/oyoH7idzkb
— ICC (@ICC) May 15, 2022
RIP Andrew Symonds
— Rob Moody (@robelinda2) May 14, 2022
Shocking news to wake up to here in Australia
😢
pic.twitter.com/oXhiqwEMRi
— Michael Clarke (@MClarke23) May 15, 2022
Can’t believe what I’ve just woken up to 😔
— Glenn Maxwell (@Gmaxi_32) May 15, 2022
Thinking of his family, his teammates and everyone in the cricket community. We’ve lost another one of our hero’s #RIPRoy
One minute of Andrew Symonds direct-hit run outs! pic.twitter.com/MHRqNp1w1d
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) May 15, 2022
2022 was supposed to be better, another one lost too soon 😣 Roy was one of the reasons I watched cricket as a kid 💔 #RIPRoy https://t.co/yR9lVfHDC3
— Megan Schutt (@megan_schutt) May 15, 2022
Simmo .. This doesn’t feel real .. #RIP ❤️
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) May 14, 2022
Heartbroken!! RIP Roy 💔 pic.twitter.com/0WVlkuhI38
— Ashleigh Gardner (@akgardner97) May 14, 2022
What is happening in the world….I can’t believe it. Wake up to find another amazing cricketer Andrew Symonds has been lost too soon. 💔 for his family and friends. Not sure Australian cricket fraternity can take much more 😢 #RIPRoy
— Lisa Sthalekar (@sthalekar93) May 15, 2022
Devastated to hear about Andrew Symonds passing away in a car crash in Australia. We shared a great relationship on & off the field. Thoughts & prayers with the family. #AndrewSymonds pic.twitter.com/QMZMCwLdZs
— Shoaib Akhtar (@shoaib100mph) May 14, 2022
What a player when on song. And, at heart, a simple fellow as some of us were happy to discover. Too soon. #AndrewSymonds
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) May 15, 2022
Shane Warne's last tweet was about the passing away of Rod Marsh.
— Sarah Waris (@swaris16) May 14, 2022
Andrew Symonds' last Insta post was on his devastatation at losing Warne.
Life, man.
Shocking news to wake up to here in India. Rest in peace my dear friend. Such tragic news 💔🥲 pic.twitter.com/pBWEqVO6IY
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) May 15, 2022
Look after yourself up there great man, I am 💔, loved him so much and our thoughts are with the family at this time. Hug your loved ones xx #RIPRoy pic.twitter.com/1nWupFBqOK
— Darren Lehmann (@darren_lehmann) May 15, 2022
Horrendous news to wake up to.
— Jason Gillespie 🌱 (@dizzy259) May 14, 2022
Utterly devastated. We are all gonna miss you mate.☹️ #RIPRoy
This is so devastating 😞
— Damien Fleming (@bowlologist) May 14, 2022
Roy was So much fun to be around
Our Thoughts are with Symonds family #RIPRoy
Shocking and a tragic news to wake up to…the passing away of Andrew Symonds 💔 RIP Andrew & thanks for the lovely memories🙏🏼
— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) May 15, 2022
Tragic news to hear of Andrew Symonds passing. Condolences to his family, friends and well wishers.
— Anil Kumble (@anilkumble1074) May 15, 2022
😔😔😔 #riproy #RIPSymonds This was exactly 3months ago in Canberra pic.twitter.com/5EfWeHSOn9
— Russel Arnold (@RusselArnold69) May 15, 2022
Andrew Symonds was many things to many people. To me he was one of my favourite players; a juggernaught of a man on & off the pitch. He was the first great T20 cricketer: a Rolls Royce in the field & a titan with the bat. I was lucky enough to work with him at Fox. RIP, Roy. pic.twitter.com/u8rvU4TqYg
— Freddie Wilde (@fwildecricket) May 15, 2022
Life is really unpredictable, shocked to hear about the sudden demise of Andrew Symonds. My heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones. Rest in peace you legend. #GoneTooSoon
— Suresh Raina🇮🇳 (@ImRaina) May 15, 2022
Such heartbreaking news!
— DK (@DineshKarthik) May 15, 2022
Andrew Symonds was an entertaining cricketer and a terrific all-rounder.
May his soul rest in peace 🙏 pic.twitter.com/4irvHr7LtB
Saddened and shocked to hear the sudden demise of Andrew Symonds. A legend of the sport, gone too soon 💔
— Rashid Khan (@rashidkhan_19) May 15, 2022
My thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends 🙏#RIPRoy
Vale Andrew Symonds.
— Cricket Australia (@CricketAus) May 15, 2022
We are shocked and saddened by the loss of the loveable Queenslander, who has tragically passed away at the age of 46. pic.twitter.com/ZAn8lllskK
Heartbroken. Our mentor and our no.1 fan. 💔
— Brisbane Heat (@HeatBBL) May 15, 2022
Rest in peace Roy. pic.twitter.com/5bljFhqCAt