Former all-rounder Andrew Symonds, a part of the all-conquering Australia aspect that received the ICC Cricket World Cup beneath Ricky Ponting in 2003 and 2007, was killed in a automobile crash, Cricket Australia introduced. The former cricketer was concerned in a single-car accident exterior Townsville in Queensland on Saturday night time. Emergency providers failed in its makes an attempt Symonds, the only real occupant of the automobile, which left the highway and rolled.
“We are shocked and saddened by the loss of the loveable Queenslander, who has tragically passed away at the age of 46,” Cricket Australia tweeted.
Between 1998 and 2009, the 46-year-old performed 198 One-Day Internationals for the Baggie Greens, scoring six centuries and 30 half-centuries and taking 133 wickets. In 26 Tests, Symonds averaged 40.61.
Symonds’ demise comes as one other tragic blow for the nation’s cricketing neighborhood, already reeling from the latest deaths of Shane Warne and Rod Marsh.
Legendary former Australian skipper Allan Border was among the many first to pay tribute to Symonds. Symonds “hit the ball a long way and just wanted to entertain”, Border stated, including: “He was, in a way, a little bit of an old-fashioned cricketer.”
Speaking to Nine Network, the Aussie nice stated: “He was an adventurer, loved his fishing, he loved hiking, camping. People liked his very laid-back style.”
Tributes additionally poured in from him teammates on social media with Adam Gilchrist expressing his dismay on the passing of one in every of his greatest associates from the cricket discipline. Prolific all-rounder Michael Bevan, whose harm allowed Symonds to get into the Aussie group to get into 2003 ICC World Cup-winning Australia aspect, additionally paid tribute.
India nice Sachin Tendulkar, who was concerned within the notorious ‘Monkeygate’ scandal in the course of the Test collection in 2008, additionally paid tribute. “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. May his soul rest in peace, condolences to his family & friends,” the batting legend tweeted.
Another protagonist of that controversy, Harbhajan Singh, tweeted: “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…”
Both Harbhajan and Sachin would later go on to group up with Symonds for the Mumbai Indians within the Indian Premier League.
Source: www.financialexpress.com