Cricket world mourns the loss of another larrikin of the game
The death of retired Australian cricketer Andrew Symonds in a car crash near Townsville has prompted widespread tributes for a ‘great’ of the game.
Nearby residents rushed to help the 46-year-old after hearing the crash late on Saturday night.
He could not be revived.
āThe cause of the accident hasnāt been established,ā police Inspector Gavin Oates said on Sunday, confirming that the driver was flung from the vehicle when it rolled.
Itās believed Symonds was driving on Hervey Range Road, near Alice River Bridge about 50km northwest of Townsville, when his vehicle left the road. Police said there were animals travelling in the rear of the vehicle who were later cared for by friends and relatives.
Andrewsā family has asked for privacy.Ā Wife Laura said she and children Chloe and Billy were in shock.
āHe was such a big person and there is just so much of him in his kids,ā she told News Corp.
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āHe was the most laid-back person. Nothing stressed him out. He was an extremely chilled operator. So practical.ā
Cricket Australia chairman Lachlan Henderson described Symonds as a āgenerational talentā.
āHe was a cult figure to many who was treasured by his fans and friends,ā Henderson said in a statement on Sunday.
Former Australian captain Allan Border paid tribute to Symonds, whoĀ played 26 Tests for Australia and was a crowd favourite in the short format game as a big-hitting allrounder.
āHe hit the ball a long way and just wanted to entertain. He was, in a way, a little bit of an old-fashioned cricketer,ā Border told the Nine Network.
In recent years Symonds had worked as a TV commentator for Fox Sports and was a regular on the microphone for Big Bash League broadcasts.
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āHe was an adventurer. Loved his fishing, he loved hiking, camping,ā Border said of Symonds.
Symonds, nicknamed āRoyā, was charismatic on the field, often wearing zinc cream and at times sporting dreadlocks.
āPeople liked his very laid-back style,ā Border said.
āHe lived in Townsville. When I spoke to him, I think he still had a hundred head of cattle he used to muster.
āSymo away from the cameras and away from the spotlight, loved, I think, a bit of solitude and that is why he loved his fishing. Loved his own time.ā
Symondsā death follows the shock demise of cricketing peer Shane Warne, who died in March in Thailand. Sundayās news prompted a wave of tributes.
Former Australian wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist tweeted āThis really hurts. #roy #ripā.
Another former cricketer Greg Matthews offered: āsuch a pure man, so genuine, so earthy ā¦ so humble! G, another brother leaves us #ripā.
Ex-England captain Michael Vaughan wrote: āSimmo .. This doesnāt feel real .. #RIPā.
Crash investigators will prepare a report for the coroner into Symondsā crash.
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