Gone too soon: Tributes flow for Andrew Symonds
The sporting world has been dealt yet another heavy blow following the sudden death of former Australian cricket legend Andrew Symonds in a car crash.
The 46-year-old died on Saturday night just outside Townsville, Queensland, where he was spending his retirement years.
According to police, Symonds was driving shortly after 11pm when his car left the road and rolled.
Emergency services attempted to revive him at the scene but were unsuccessful.
Gavin Oates, the Acting Inspector of Townsville Police, said the cause of the crash was still unknown.
“That’s still being investigated at this stage. Forensic Crash Unit officers have attended the scene and are conducting the investigation and they will prepare a report for the coroner,” he said.
“The accident was actually heard by neighbours who are people who live nearby that were the first people on scene and alerted emergency services.
“They provided the assistance they could at the time.”
Symonds’ wife Laura, who flew from Sydney to Townsville on Sunday morning, spoke to The Courier Mail and said her thoughts were focused on her and Symonds’ two children, Chloe and Billy.
“We are still in shock - I’m just thinking of the two kids,” she told the publication.
“He’s such a big person and there is just so much of him in his kids.”
Since the news broke of Symond’s sudden passing, fellow cricketers - including teammates and opponents - have been among the many thousands who have shared tributes to him.
“This really hurts,” Adam Gilchrist, a former teammate and wicketkeeper, wrote on Twitter.
“Think of your most loyal, fun, loving friend who would do anything for you. That’s Roy.”
Ricky Ponting, who captained Symonds at various points in his career, described him as “an extraordinary player and even better human being”.
“If Roy shook your hand you had his word, that’s the sort of bloke he was and that’s why I always wanted him on my team,” Ponting wrote.
“An extraordinary player and even better human being. Can’t believe he’s gone.”
Cricketer and fast bowler Brett Lee, who knew Symonds since they were teenagers, shared a heartbreaking tribute to “one of the most gifted athletes”.
“I knew Roy since the age of 17 from junior cricket. One of the most gifted athletes I’ve ever witnessed,” Lee began.
“He didn’t play for money or fame, these things were irrelevant to him. As long as he could afford to wet a line & have a cold beer, Roy was happy. First picked in any team.”
Sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik even paid tribute by creating a huge, colourful sculpture in Odisha, eastern India, as reported by ANI.
Sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik paid tribute to Australian cricket star #AndrewSymonds through his sand art at Puri beach in Odisha.
The cricket legend died in a car crash on May 15. pic.twitter.com/wDSOaph6LH
— ANI (@ANI) May 15, 2022
The Gold Coast Dolphins Cricket Club - the junior club where Symonds played as a 15-year-old - also shared they were “deeply saddened” by his death.
"I think there's been a lot of tragedy in cricket this year and Andrew was just a bigger than life character and it's shocking to hear," club president Adam Daniels said.
"He started playing at the club as a 15-year-old … he represents, probably in the history of the club, one of the first players to come through as a junior player to play for Australia."
Daniels described him as the “ultimate teammate” who always gave “200 percent” to the game.
"I think he's the ultimate teammate, he would do anything for you – on the field and off the field," he said.
"He created an atmosphere in the change room that was fun.
"He was a fun guy to be around, but as a team-mate he would go into battle for you.
"I think he was ultimately one of the most talented players. He could do everything, from a batting point of view, (he bowled) medium pace, he bowled off spin, his athleticism in the field. He was just the ultimate athlete.
"I think that probably what's forgotten is his work ethic. He was probably one of the hardest trainers and I think that's what led to him being a test cricketer."
Image: Twitter