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Australian cricketing great Andrew Symonds’ wife Laura has expressed her devastation after his sudden death.
Symonds died in a single-car crash, throwing the sport and the nation into mourning.
Shane Warne’s daughter Brooke, along with teammates, also expressed their sympathy. Warne and Symonds had been close friends as well as teammates.
Symonds, 46, died at about 10.30pm on Saturday in Hervey Range, 50km west of Townsville in far north Queensland, when his car left the road and rolled.
‘We are still in shock – I’m just thinking of the two kids,’ Ms Symonds said on Sunday morning.
The late Australian cricketer Andrew Symonds (right) is pictured with wife Laura and their son Billy
‘He was such a big person and there is just so much of him in his kids.’
She and children Chloe and Billy flew from Sydney to Townsville on Sunday morning after being told of Symonds’ death.
‘He was the most laid back person. Nothing stressed him out. He was an extremely chilled operator. So practical,’ Ms Symonds told News Corp.
She said the retired all-rounder was ‘extremely self-conscious about his intellect and would say “I didn’t go to Uni and don’t have degrees”, but he was so practical and really intelligent in his own way’.
Brooke Warne posted a picture of Shane Warne with two of his children, including Brooke, with Andrew Symonds to social media, saying ‘Rest in Peace Roy’. Symonds was known as Roy to many
Ms Warne posted a picture of Shane Warne and two of his children, including her, with Symonds to social media, saying ‘Rest in Peace Roy’. Symonds was known as Roy to many.
‘Heaven has gained another Angel,’ she added.
Two months ago, Symonds expressed his shock at the death of Warne.
‘I’m hoping this is all a bad dream I just can’t get my head around never seeing you again,’ he wrote.
‘Love to all the Warne family I’m speechless.’
The close mates spent last New Year’s Eve together at The Esplanade Hotel in St Kilda, Melbourne, along with their former teammate Michael Hussey.
Australian cricket legend Andrew Symonds (pictured) has died in a car crash in Queensland
Andrew Symonds (left) arrives for the State Memorial Service for cricket legend Shane Warne at the MCG in Melbourne on Wednesday, March 30, 2022. Symonds was killed in a car crash on Saturday night
Shocked teammates have also paid tribute after the sudden death of their colleague.
‘This really hurts,’ said former Australian captain Adam Gilchrist on social media.
Former England player Michael Vaughan wrote: ‘Simmo .. This doesn’t feel real.’
Both included the letters RIP – rest in peace – in their messages, as did Jason Gillespie, who said it was ‘horrendous news to wake up to’.
He added that he was ‘utterly devastated. We are all gonna miss you mate.’
Former Australian cricketer Mark Taylor paid tribute to Symonds on Channel 9.
‘Symo. He was an adventurer,’ he said. ‘I can’t quite believe it. Another tragic day for cricket.
‘Bad things do happen in threes – Rod Marsh earlier this year, not long after that obviously Shane Warne and now Simmo. Another terrible day for cricket,’ said Taylor.
He said that Symonds loved outdoor adventures such as fishing, hiking and camping.
Former Australian captain Adam Gilchrist was among those paying tribute to Andrew Symonds on social media (pictured)
Jason Gillespie also paid tribute to Symonds in a Twitter message (pictured) on Sunday morning
‘I took Symo out one day fishing here on Sydney Harbour with The Cricket Show many years ago and just watching him flow a fly lure around boats was great to watch.
‘He was entertainer with the bat when it came to cricket, and as you say he was an imposing guy.’
Taylor said Symonds was earmarked as a white ball player. ‘He wanted to prove to the world he could play Test cricket and he did that way.
‘He was just an entertainer. In an era where professionalism really is a throwaway word that we use probably too often. Symo was the older sort of guy.
Former Australian cricketer Mark Taylor said the late Andrew Symonds (pictured) was ‘an entertainer’
‘He wanted to go out there and have fun and play the game he remembered … as a kid.
‘At times he got in trouble for not going to training or maybe having a few too many beers, but that is the way he lived his life and the way he wanted to play his cricket also.’
Cricket Australia chairman Lachlan Henderson also paid tribute to Symonds.
‘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 said.
‘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, teammates, and friends.’
Andrew Symonds, who died suddenly on Saturday night, is pictured playing for the Bulls during the Twenty20 Big Bash match between the Queensland Bulls and the Western Australian Warriors at The Gabba on January 16, 2010 in Brisbane
Allan Border, who led the national team in the 1980s and 90s, was also full of praise for Symonds.
‘People liked his very laid-back style,’ Border said. ‘He lived in Townsville. When I spoke to him, I think he still had a hundred head of cattle he used to muster.
‘Symo away from the cameras and away from the spotlight, loved, I think, a bit of solitude and that is why he loved his fishing. Loved his own time.’
Pakistan cricket great Shoaib Akhtar said he was ‘Devastated to hear about Andrew Symonds passing away …
‘We shared a great relationship on & off the field. Thoughts & prayers with the family.’
Former Australia all-rounder Andrew Symonds, shown diving to make a century for Lancashire, has died in a car crash aged 46
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