Andrew Symonds, a former Australian cricketer and two-time World Cup champion, died in a vehicle accident on Saturday evening. The collision occurred just outside of Townsville in Symonds’ native state of Queensland, and police reported that a 46-year-old guy died at the scene.
A police statement revealed, “Early information suggests that the vehicle exited the roadway and rolled just after 11 p.m. on Hervey Range Road near Alice River Bridge.” Emergency personnel attempted to resuscitate the 46-year-old driver and single passenger, but he succumbed to his injuries.
The Forensic Crash Unit is conducting an investigation. The loss of Symonds comes just two months after the untimely death of great leg-spinner Shane Warne, and earlier this year, former Australian wicketkeeper Rod Marsh also died of a heart attack.
Symonds’ batting average in 26 Tests for his country was 40.61, although he was arguably better remembered for his exploits in white-ball cricket and his brilliant outfield and circle fielding.
In 198 ODIs, he amassed six centuries and thirty half-centuries, in addition to delivering 133 wickets with his dexterous off-spin and medium speed.
During the 2003 World Cup, Symonds exploded into the scene with perhaps his best innings, when he burned Pakistan with an unbeaten 143 in Johannesburg early in the tournament and helped Australia remain undefeated and overcome India in a one-sided final.
The imposing right-hander was also a member of Australia’s World Cup-winning squad in the 2007 World Cup in the West Indies when Australia won their fourth 50-over World Cup.
In 14 T20 Internationals for Australia, Symonds scored 337 runs and took eight wickets.
