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Cricket world mourns the loss of Australian icon, Andrew Symonds
The cricket world is mourning the loss of another icon, Andrew Symonds, just months after the passing of Shane Warne and Rod Marsh
Former Australian Cricketer Andrew Symonds died in a single-car accident, at the age of 46.
He was involved in a crash in Townsville Queensland, on Saturday night after 11 pm local time. Symonds suffered fatal injuries, despite Emergency services’ efforts to revive him, with his two dogs surviving the accident.
Tributes are flowing in for the beloved cricketer who leaves behind his wife Laura and two young children, Billie and Chloe.
“We are still in shock – I’m just thinking of the two kids.”
“He was such a big person and there is just so much of him in his kids,” she added.
“He was the most laid back person. Nothing stressed him out. He was an extremely chilled operator. So practical.
“He was never good with his phone but he always had time for everyone.”
laura symonds, andrew’s wife
Police say the cause of the crash remains unknown, with a formal investigation now underway.
“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.”
Townsville Acting Inspector Gavin Oates
Symonds was a cricketing icon playing 26 test matches for Australia, 198 one-day Internationals, and 14 Twenty20 Internationals.
Symonds retired in 2012 but stayed on Television screens as a prominent commentator for Fox Sports.
He was reportedly a lively and loveable larrikin and a well-respected person on and off the pitch.
This is the third Australian cricketer to die this year, following the tragic passings of Shane Warne and Rod Marsh.
“Andrew was a much-loved and admired cricketer in Australia and around the world,” Hockley said in a press release.
“He was a prodigious talent from an early age in Queensland with his clean ball-striking ability, shrewd spin bowling and brilliant fielding.
“He will be sadly missed by the Australian cricket community and particularly his very close friends at the Queensland Bulls where he was a popular and much-admired team-mate and friend.
“Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this devastatingly sad time.”
Cricket Australia CEO Nick Hockley