Former Australia all-rounder Andrew Symonds died in a car accident near the outskirts of the city of Townsville on May 15, 2022 at the age of 46.
Symonds, one of the greatest all-rounders to represent the country, played 26 Tests, 198 ODIs, and 14 T20Is for Australia and was a two-time World Cup winner.
Andrew Symonds Dies in Car Crash
The 46-year-old was the sole passenger in the crash just outside of Townsville in his home state of Queensland, police confirmed.
“Early information indicates, shortly after 11 pm the car was being driven on Hervey Range Road, near Alice River Bridge when it left the roadway and rolled,” the police statement confirmed.
“Emergency services attempted to revive the 46-year-old driver and sole occupant, however, he died of his injuries. The Forensic Crash Unit is investigating.”
BREAKING: Australian All-Rounder Andrew Symonds has died after a car crash in northern Queensland.
RIP #AndrewSymonds
— Times of Sports (@timesofsports) May 15, 2022
Cricket Australia Confirms Symonds’ Demise
Confirming the shocking development, Cricket Australia issued a statement attributed to chair Lachlan Henderson. Notably, Symonds is survived by his wife Laura and two young children, Chloe and Billy.
“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.”
Allan Border Pay Tributes
Former Australian captain Allan Border was among those to pay tribute to Symonds on Sunday.
Border said Symonds “hit the ball a long way and just wanted to entertain”.
“He was, in a way, a little bit of an old-fashioned cricketer,” 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 Notable Controversies
- During Australia’s 2005 tour of England, Symonds was dropped for two ODIs after he showed up for a match against Bangladesh under the influence of alcohol.
- Three years later in 2008, Symonds was sent back home from Australia’s ODI series against Bangladesh after he missed a team meeting to go fishing.
- The following year in 2009, Symonds, due to disciplinary reasons, was once again asked to go home from the T20 World Cup in England, effectively ending his ODI career.
- Symond will also be remembered for the infamous monkey gate scandal that sent him into a downward spiral. He accused India spinner Harbhajan Singh of calling him a “monkey” in Sydney’s 2008 New Year Test. Singh, who denied any wrongdoing, was suspended for three matches. The ban was overturned when India threatened to quit the tour in a low point for India-Australia cricket relations.
Andrew Symonds Career Overview
- Symonds made his Australia debut in 1998, during an ODI against Pakistan and it was in the 50-overs setup that the dynamic all-rounder would prove his mettle.
- In nearly 200 ODIs, Symonds scored over 5000 runs at an average of 39.75 while batting in the middle order, including six hundreds and 30 half-centuries, and also took 133 wickets.
- A big-hitting batter, a witty bowler and a spotless fielder, Symonds was one of the top all-rounders of his era.
- While he was always full of promise, it was during the 2003 World Cup that Symonds really burst onto the scene, scoring a match-winning 143 against Pakistan.
- While Symonds’ Test career did not touch the highs of his ODI achievements, he scored 1462 runs with two centuries and 10 fifties.
- Post-retirement from cricket in February of 2012, Symonds ventured in sports commentary and broadcasting and became a renowned figure for Fox Sports
