Australian cricket great Andrew Symonds has died aged 46

Ambar Bhattacharya, Takmaa, Kolkata, 15th May 2022 : The popular former allrounder was killed in a car accident in Hervey Range outside Townsville in Queensland on Saturday night. Queensland Police said emergency services attempted to revive Symonds after his car left a road and rolled after 11pm. “However, he died of his injuries,” police said in a statement. “The Forensic Crash Unit is investigating.” Police released a statement saying they were investigating a fatal single-vehicle crash in Hervey Range, around 50 kilometres from Townsville, last night.

Speaking in Townsville, Patrol Inspector Gavin Oates said the cause of the crash was still being investigated but at this stage there was nothing to suggest alcohol was a factor in the crash. A report will be prepared for the coroner. “The accident was actually heard by people nearby, they were the first people on scene and alerted emergency services,” he said. Oates said he believed Symonds was out of the vehicle, or had been ejected during the crash, and was being treated beside the car by paramedics when police arrived. He said officers first on the scene were not aware it was Symonds, and worked to identify him later. “When police arrived on scene, paramedics were providing treatment and he passed away shortly after that,” he said.

Symonds is survived by wife Laura and children Chloe and Billy. Former teammates and friends led emotional tributes to the cult figure on Sunday morning. “Horrendous news to wake up to. Utterly devastated. We are all gonna miss you mate,” Jason Gillespie wrote. Adam Gilchrist simply said: “This really hurts.” Damien Fleming wrote: “This is so devastating. Roy was so much fun to be around.” Symonds’ death comes after Australian cricket icons Rod Marsh and Shane Warne died within days of each other in March.

Symonds played 26 Test matches between 2004 and 2008, while appearing in 198 one-day internationals and 14 Twenty20 international. The keen fisherman, who grew up in Queensland and was affectionately known by his nickname ‘Roy’, became a fan favourite as a big-hitting allrounder in some of Australia’s greatest teams.

He played multiple crucial innings at the 2003 World Cup, striking 143 not out in the opener against Pakistan and 91 not out in a semi-final win over Sri Lanka. Symonds took two wickets in the final to help Australia win the trophy, and contributed again four years later as Australia won the 2007 World Cup. Symonds struck his first Test century in the 2006 Boxing Day Test win over England – most famous for Warne’s 700th Test wicket – during Australia’s 5-0 Ashes whitewash.

“Devastated, I’m hoping this is all a bad dream, I just can’t get my head around never seeing you again,” he wrote at the time. “Love to all the Warne family, I’m speechless.” Symonds also played for English country sides Gloucestershire, Kent, Lancashire and Surrey as well as Indian Premier League franchises Deccan Chargers and Mumbai Indians.
“The club is shocked and saddened to learn of the passing of former overseas star and cult hero, Andrew Symonds,” Kent said.

“The thoughts of everyone at Kent Cricket are with Roy’s family and friends at this desperately sad time.” Pakistan great Shoaib Akhtar said he was “devastated” to hear the news. “We shared a great relationship on and off the field,” he wrote.