Two-time World Cup winner Andrew Symonds died in a single-car crash on Saturday night outside Townsville, on the northeastern coast of Queensland, Australia. He was 46
'Early information indicates, shortly after 11 p.m. (Australian time) the car was being driven on Hervey Range Road, near Alice River Bridge when it left the roadway and rolled,' the police statement said. 'Emergency services attempted to revive the 46-year-old driver and sole occupant. However, he died of his injuries. The Forensic Crash Unit is investigating.'
Symonds averaged 40.61 with the bat from 26 Test matches for Australia, but was better known for his exploits in white-ball cricket. In 198 ODIs, he scored six centuries and 30 fifties and picked up 133 wickets with handy off-spin and gentle medium pace. In 14 T20Is, he managed 337 runs and eight wickets.
Symonds' greatest performance came in Australia's first match in the 2003 World Cup, when he smashed Pakistan with an unbeaten 143 in Johannesburg. Australia went through the tournament unbeaten and defeated India in a one-sided final. He was also part of the victorious World Cup side at the 2007 World Cup in the West Indies as Australia claimed their fourth 50-over World Cup title.
Cricket Australia chair, Lachlan Henderson, told cricket.com.au: 'Australian cricket has lost another of its very best. 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.'
Symonds also scored a superb unbeaten 162 against India in the 2007/08 Sydney Test, helping Australia win by 122 runs. The Test match ended amidst the 'Monkeygate' scandal. Symonds accused Harbhajan Singh of calling him a 'monkey', triggering a verbal confrontation between the two teams.
Andrew Symonds dies aged 46 in car crash
