Melbourne: Cricket Australia said Sunday that swashbuckling former all-rounder Andrew Symonds had died in a car accident, adding to the sport’s recent tragedies of Shane Warne and Rod Marsh.
The 46-year-old was involved in a single-car collision in Townsville, Queensland, on Saturday night, after playing 26 Tests and 198 one-day internationals for Australia between 1998 and 2009.
According to police, emergency personnel attempted to resuscitate the driver and lone occupant, but he died as a result of his injuries after the automobile left the road and rolled.
“Australian cricket has lost another of its very best,” Cricket Australia chairman Lachlan Henderson said in a statement.
“Andrew was a generational talent who was instrumental in Australia’s success at World Cups and as part of Queensland’s rich cricket history.
“He was a cult figure to many who was treasured by his fans and friends,” he added.
Symonds’ death comes just months after the sudden loss of other Australian greats Warne and Marsh, who both died of heart attacks.
“Unfortunately I’ve been here too often this year under these circumstances. I actually can’t quite believe it, to be honest,” former Australia captain Mark Taylor told Channel Nine. “Another tragic day for cricket.”
The larger-than-life characters Symonds was well-liked not only for his hard-hitting style of play, but also for his easygoing demeanor.
He was widely regarded as one of Australia’s best all-rounders, capable of bowling both off-spin and medium pace while also providing numerous match-winning innings with his powerful middle-order batting.
Symonds was also an excellent fielder, playing a major role in Australia’s back-to-back 50-over World Cup victories in 2003 and 2007.
Domestically, he played for Queensland for 17 seasons, while appearing for Gloucestershire, Kent, Lancashire and Surrey in the English County Championship and for Deccan Chargers and Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League.
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