Australian cricket legend Andrew Symonds has died in a car crash, aged 46.
He is survived by wife Laura, and children Chloe and Billy.
Symonds played 26 Tests for Australia as well as 198 one-day internationals and 14 Twenty20 internationals.
Known lovingly as “Roy”, Symonds was one of the best all-rounders to represent the country.
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He was a swashbuckling right-handed batter who could blast opposition attacks off the park, and had the ability to bowl both medium pace and off-spin.
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Some of his iconic moments came while wearing the green and gold of Australia for the one-day team, which he helped win two World Cups in 2003 and 2007.
His crowning innings came at the 2003 World Cup when he blasted 143 off 125 balls to lead the Aussies to victory against Pakistan.
“Unfortunately I’ve been here too often this year under these circumstances. I actually can’t quite believe it, to be honest,” former Australian captain Mark Taylor told Nine’s Today.
“Another tragic day for cricket.”
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Symonds made his Test debut in 2004 against Sri Lanka in Galle, but was dropped from the team after two matches.
His best moment in Test cricket would come two years later, when Symonds was selected for his first Ashes series.
Batting with close friend Matthew Hayden at the MCG, Symonds scored his maiden Test century, hitting 156 against England before being caught out.
“That hundred he got at the MCG was probably his defining moment, because he was out there with his mate, Matty Hayden,” Taylor told Today.
“That was a great moment because that passion was there. He wasn’t really considered a Test cricketer, everyone had him earmarked as a white-ball player, but he wanted to prove to the world he was a Test cricketer, and he did that day.”
While he was desperate to prove himself in the purest form of the game, white-ball cricket is where Symonds dominated.
He averaged an astonishing 48.14 for Australia in Twenty20, and 39.75 with the bat in ODIs.
His stance in Twenty20 cricket was showcased at the 2008 Indian Premier League auction, where he was the most popular overseas player and bought for $1.95 million by the Deccan Chargers.
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While Symonds was a loved figure around the game, controversy plagued his career.
He was the subject of a racism scandal during a 2008 series against India, when Harbhajan Singh allegedly called Symonds a “monkey”, although the Indian player has always denied he used the word.
Symonds was dropped from the Test squad in 2008 when he went fishing in Darwin instead of attending a team meeting.
When he returned to the team, he was again embroiled in controversy when he was involved in a pub scuffle while celebrating a victory.
Symonds was again dropped from the squad after breaking team rules by drinking on the eve of the 2009 Twenty20 World Cup.
He played his last Test match against South Africa in 2008, and turned to specialise in white-ball cricket until his retirement from all forms in 2012.
Perhaps his most viewed highlight came at the Gabba in 2008, when he famously levelled a nude streaker with a perfect hip-and-shoulder.
“Australian cricket has lost another of its very best,” Cricket Australia chair Lachlan Henderson said.
“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.
“On behalf of Australian cricket our deepest sympathies are with Andrew’s family, team-mates, and friends.”
ANDREW SYMONDS CAREER
Tests: 26 matches, batting average 40.61, bowling average 37.33
ODIs: 198 matches, batting average 39.75, bowling average 37.25
T20Is: 14 matches, batting average 48.14, bowling average 34.62
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