Tributes flood in for the late Andrew Symonds

The cricketing world was left in a state of shock after news broke that Australian icon Andrew Symonds was killed in a car accident late Saturday in north Queensland, aged just 46.

Symonds was driving with his two blue heelers when he was involved in a single-car crash at Hervey Range, about 50 kilometres from of Townsville. Emergency service personnel made attempts to revive him but he died at the scene. Witnesses say one Symonds’ dog refused to leave his side and became quite sensitive when help arrived.

Symonds was born in Birmingham but moved to Queensland with his adoptive parents as a toddler. He would make his Test debut for Australia in March of 2004 against Sri Lanka and went on to play 26 Tests, scoring 1,462 runs and taking 24 wickets. He would appear in the final three matches of Australia’s 2006-07 Ashes whitewash, in which he produced an innings for the ages at the MCG, finishing with 156 runs and contributing to a 279-run partnership alongside Matthew Hayden. The innings produced perhaps one of the most famous scenes in recent Ashes memory – Symonds dispatching a Paul Collingwood delivery back over his head for six to bring up his maiden Test hundred, prompting him to leap into the arms of Hayden with his bat raised. Symonds also appeared in 198 ODIs for Australia and was a valuable member of the 2003 and 2007 World Cup-winning squads.

“Roy”, as he was affectionately known, was one of Australian cricket’s most beloved figures and took up commentary after his career came to a close. Touching tributes have flooded in from around the world since news of his passing broke.

“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,” former teammate Ricky Ponting tweeted.

“An extraordinary player and even better human being. Can’t believe he’s gone. Thoughts are with his family at this time.”

Ponting was Symonds’ captain for the entirety of his Test career and won a pair of World Cups alongside him.

Adam Gilchrist called Symonds his “most loyal, fun, loving friend”.

“This really hurts,” Gilchrist tweeted.

“Think of your most loyal, fun, loving friend who would do anything for you. That’s Roy … I miss him so much… already. Really hurting. Rest easy Royman.”

Brett Lee also gave an insight into the type of person Symonds was.

“I knew Roy since the age of 17 from junior cricket. One of the most gifted athletes I’ve ever witnessed,” Lee tweeted.

“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.”

Jason Gillespie echoed Lee’s sentiment.

“We lost an absolute superstar of a person in Andrew Symonds … It’s tough to acknowledge that he’s gone to be honest. I know the QLD cricket family are getting around each other today.”

Former West Indies star Brian Lara said he had been messaging Symonds on the day he passed.

“We exchanged messages just hours ago… what’s really going on? Baffled and heartbroken,” Lara tweeted.

“How could we lose another iconic figure in our sport so soon … RIP Roy”

It has certainly been a difficult few months for the both the Australian and international cricket family.