World cricket is mourning the shock lack of one other Australian nice after Take a look at star and two-time World Cup winner Andrew Symonds was killed in a automobile crash in Queensland.
Former Australian cricket captain Mark Taylor says the person often called ‘Roy’ will likely be remembered as an entertainer who performed the sport with a carefree strategy and disdain for guidelines and rules.
Taylor was one among a number of of the sport’s greatest names to pay tribute to the 46-year-old following his tragic demise on Saturday night time.
The stunning information comes little over two months for the reason that cricket fraternity mourned the sudden passing of spin king Shane Warne and former Take a look at wicket-keeper Rod Marsh.
Talking on 9, Taylor stated Symonds was “an entertainer with the bat and an imposing man”.
“He was an entertainer in an period the place professionalism actually is a throwaway phrase that we use in all probability too typically,” he stated. “He wished to go on the market and have enjoyable and play the sport he remembered as a child.
“At occasions he acquired in hassle for not going to coaching or possibly having a couple of too many beers, however that’s the manner he lived his life and the way in which he wished to play his cricket additionally.”
Consider your most loyal, enjoyable, loving pal who would do something for you. That’s Roy. 💔😞
— Adam Gilchrist (@gilly381) May 15, 2022
One other ex-Australian skipper, Allan Border, informed 9: “He was, in a manner, just a little little bit of an old style cricketer. He was an adventurer, beloved his fishing, he beloved mountain climbing, tenting. Individuals appreciated his very laid-back fashion. He hit the ball a great distance and simply wished to entertain.”
Symonds was concerned in a single-vehicle accident late on Saturday. Queensland Police are investigating the crash, which occurred at Hervey Vary, about 50km from Townsville.
“Early data signifies shortly after 11pm the automobile was being pushed on Hervey Vary Street, close to Alice River Bridge when it left the roadway and rolled,” a police assertion learn. “Emergency companies tried to revive the 46-year-old driver and sole occupant, nevertheless, he died of his accidents.”
Cricket Australia chair Lachlan Henderson touched on Symonds’s contribution to Australian and Queensland cricket in paying tribute to the good all-rounder.
“Australian cricket has misplaced one other of its best possible. Andrew was a generational expertise who was instrumental in Australia’s success at World Cups and as a part of Queensland’s wealthy cricket historical past,” he stated.
“He was a cult determine to many who was treasured by his followers and associates. On behalf of Australian cricket our deepest sympathies are with Andrew’s household, team-mates, and associates.”
Queensland Cricket chair Chris Simpson, who performed with Symonds for the Bulls, added: “It’s a shattering loss to these nearest to him, and his large circle of associates, which prolong to all corners of the cricketing world.
“His premature passing may also resonate deeply with the various followers who thrilled to his efforts with bat, ball and within the subject … we’re all hurting and can miss him tremendously.”
Abroad rivals had been additionally shocked and saddened to listen to information of Symonds’s demise.
Former Pakistan paceman Shoaib Akhtar tweeted: “Devastated to listen to about Andrew Symonds passing away in a automobile crash in Australia. We shared an amazing relationship on & off the sphere. Ideas & prayers with the household.”
Ex-India spinner Anil Kumble posted: “Tragic information to listen to of Andrew Symonds passing. Condolences to his household, associates and well-wishers.”
Symonds performed 26 Exams for Australia, scoring 1462 runs at 40.61 and selecting up 24 wickets along with his useful off spin and medium tempo bowling.
His good 162 not out towards India within the 2008 Sydney Take a look at helped Australia to a 122-run victory, however the recreation would later be mired in controversy over the Monkeygate affair.
@FoxCricket hearts damaged once more…if we had been Ted Lasso, he was our Roy Kent…known as it straight..didn’t do fluff…was true to himself…loyal…quirky…will likely be missed perpetually …ideas with household and associates… R.I.P. Andrew Symonds
— Kerry O’Keeffe (@kokeeffe49) May 15, 2022
Symonds accused Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh of calling him a “monkey”, triggering a confrontation between the 2 groups and a menace by India to return residence after Singh was initially suspended for 3 video games.
Nevertheless it was within the white-ball area the place the person they known as ‘Roy’ actually excelled. A crowd favorite within the short-form recreation, the big-hitting allrounder performed 198 one-day internationals, clobbering 5088 runs and taking 133 wickets.
The Queenslander was additionally a superb fielder, famend for pulling off a spectacular run out or outrageous catch simply when his workforce wanted it. Symonds was an integral a part of Australia’s Phrase Cup-winning campaigns in 2003 and 2007, performing with bat, ball and within the subject.
His 143 towards a Wasim Akram-led Pakistan in Australia’s opening match of the 2003 event in Johannesburg introduced his arrival to the cricket world. The dreadlocked right-hander’s match-winning knock got here from simply 125 deliveries and featured 18 fours and two sixes.
On the time it was the best rating by an Australian at a World Cup. Within the semi-final towards Sri Lanka, Symonds got here to the crease along with his facet struggling at 3-53.
He scored an undefeated 91 to assist the defending champions attain 7-212, which proved an excessive amount of for the Sri Lankans in a rain-affected match. Ricky Ponting’s males had been simple victors over India within the remaining.
Australia didn’t want too many heroics from Symonds within the 2007 World Cup, cruising via the pool video games and simply defeating Sri Lanka within the decider in Barbados.
Symonds completed his twin World Cup campaigns with two winner’s’ medals, a mean of 103, a strike fee of 93.29 and the adulation of followers all over the world.
“I believe it’s the worry issue he places into the opposition as a result of he can clear the boundary frequently,” former Australian captain Ian Chappell stated. “He’s going to create some run outs for you. He’ll take a blinding catch and he has been very, very tidy with the ball now for a very long time.”
In recent times Symonds had labored as a TV commentator for Fox Sports activities and was an everyday on the microphone for Large Bash League broadcasts.
