Flamboyant Australian cricketer Andrew Symonds dies in car accident Cricket News – Times of India

Sydney: Former all-rounder! Andrew Symonds One has been killed in a car accident, Cricket Australia said on Sunday, in another tragic blow to the sport following the recent deaths of fellow greats Shane Warne and Rod Marsh.
The 46-year-old, who played 26 Tests and 198 ODIs for Australia from 1998 to 2009, was involved in a car accident outside Townsville in Queensland state on Saturday night.
Police said emergency services attempted to revive the driver and sole rider, but he died after the car skidded off the road and rolled over.

“Australian cricket has lost another of its best,” Cricket Australia president Lachlan Henderson said in a statement.
“Andrew was a genius of a generation who was instrumental in Australia’s success at the World Cup and as part of Queensland’s rich cricket history.
“He was to many a cult figure who was cherished by his fans and friends,” he added.

Symonds’ fatal accident comes months after the deaths of fellow Australian greats Warne and Marsh, who died unexpectedly of a heart attack.
“Unfortunately I’ve been here in these circumstances a lot of times this year. I really can’t believe it,” former Australia captain Mark Taylor told Channel Nine. “Another sad day for cricket.”
The larger than life Symonds was extremely popular not only for his stern approach towards the game but also for his easy going personality.
He was widely regarded as one of the most skilled all-rounders Australian cricket has seen, playing several match-winning hands with his explosive middle-order batting, bowling at both off-spin and medium pace. .
Symonds was also a top-rate fielder and was a key part of Australia’s 50-over World Cup victories in 2003 and 2007.
Domestically, he played 17 seasons for Queensland, while playing for Gloucestershire, Kent, Lancashire and Surrey in the English County Championship and for Deccan Chargers and Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League.
Former Aussie teammate Jason Gillespie tweeted: “Terrible news to wake up to.” “Totally devastated. We are all going to miss you mate.”

Another former teammate Adam Gilchrist, who recently commented on Fox Sports with Symonds, wrote: “It really hurts,” while Pakistani pacer Shoaib Akhtar said he was “devastated”.

Former England captain Michael Vaughan said: “Simmo … it doesn’t look like a real #RIP.”

Symonds, who was born in England to a parent of Afro-Caribbean descent, will also be remembered for the infamous “monkeygate” scandal, which sent him into a downward spiral.
He accused India spinner Harbhajan Singh of calling him a “monkey” in the 2008 New Year’s Test in Sydney.
Singh, who denied any wrongdoing, was suspended for three matches. The ban was lifted after India threatened to abandon the tour at a low point for India-Australia cricket ties.
The Australian player later revealed that it caused huge losses.
“That was my downhill slide from that moment on,” he recalled in 2018. “I started drinking heavily as a result and my life was starting to dissolve around me.”
His Cricket Australia contract was withdrawn in June 2009 after being sent home from the World Twenty20 in England following the latest in a series of alcohol-related indiscretions.
Despite the animosity, Symonds and Harbhajan eventually played and played together in the Indian Premier League, with the Australian having a successful career as a respected television commentator after retiring.
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