‘Really hurts’: With Symonds’ death, cricket world in mourning again

A little over two months ago, Andrew Symonds posted about his devastation at the death of his former teammate, Shane Warne.

“I’m hoping this is all a bad dream I just can’t get my head around never seeing you again,” Symonds wrote.

“Love to all the Warne family I’m speechless.”

On Sunday, the Australian cricket community was again shocked and in mourning, this time for Symonds, who died in a car accident aged 46.

Tributes rolled in from around the world for Symonds, who was instrumental in Australia’s international cricket dominance during the early to mid-2000s.

Former captain Ricky Ponting said on Twitter that Symonds was “an extraordinary player and even better human being”.

“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,” Ponting said.

Former teammate and Australian cricket legend Adam Gilchrist wrote on Twitter that Symonds’ passing “really hurts”.

Speaking on SEN on Sunday morning, Gilchrist was emotional and said he was “simply stunned” to be speaking about the death of his friend after the passing of other Australian cricketers this year.

“He was a heart and soul type of guy that just made you happy,” Gilchrist said.

Symonds represented Australia in 26 Test matches and 198 one-day internationals and was known for his destructive hitting and athletic fielding, while he also bowled handy off-spin and medium pace.

Gilchrist said the Queenslander nicknamed Roy was a larrikin, who was at times troubled by off-field incidents, including drinking heavily before a one-day international in Cardiff in 2005.

“It was the most pure approach to sport from Symmo,” he said. “It was simple: you play it because you enjoy it, you work hard, and then after it – win, lose or draw – you dust yourself off with your mates, and then you go again.”

Gilchrist said his favourite cricket memory of Symonds was his 143 not-out in the opening match of the 2003 World Cup against Pakistan, the day after the team was rocked by Shane Warne’s suspension for using a banned drug.

Warne’s daughter Brooke paid tribute to Symonds on Instagram, just one-and-a-half months after her family farewelled the legendary cricketer at a state memorial at the MCG.

Former Australian Test captain Mark Taylor said Symonds’ death after the passing of Australian legends Rod Marsh and Warne earlier in the year was “another tragic day for cricket”.

Indian great Sachin Tendulkar described Symonds as a livewire and said he had fond memories of playing with the Australian for the Mumbai Indians. Former Indian captain Virat Kohli also said Symonds’ death was “shocking and saddening”.

Pakistan cricket great Shoaib Akhtar said he was “devastated”, while West Indian great Brian Lara said he had exchanged messages with Symonds “just hours ago” before he was left “baffled and heartbroken” after learning of his death.

Former Australian cricketer Jason Gillespie said news of Symonds’ death was horrendous to wake up to. “We are all gonna miss you mate,” he tweeted.

Former Australian fast bowler Damien Fleming said the all-rounder was “so much fun to be around”.

“He went about it his own way, but also he cherished his mentors. Big Matty Hayden [was] such a close mate, and all his Queensland teammates,” Fleming said on SEN.

Fleming said he also cherished the memory of Symonds’ first Test hundred at the MCG against England in 2006.

“Rest in peace Symmo, you’ve left some great memories,” he said.

Former Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh also tweeted his heartfelt condolences and said he was “shocked to hear about the sudden demise of Andrew Symonds”.

Singh was accused of racially vilifying Symonds during the infamous ‘Monkeygate’ Test match at the SCG in 2008, but was ultimately cleared after a tense tribunal process. Symonds said the incident led to the beginning of the end of his international career.

Ash Gardner, a member of Australia’s dominant women’s team, said she was “heartbroken,” and ex-England Test skipper Michael Vaughan said it “didn’t feel real”.

South African fielding genius Jonty Rhodes said Symonds was “arguably the greatest all-round fielder ever”, while former Sri Lankan captain Mahela Jayawardena said Symonds was a “great competitor who was so much fun off the field”.

Darren Berry, a close friend of Warne’s, said Symonds’ loss was too much to bear.

The Australian Cricketers Association said Symonds played cricket “in a very Australian way” and with infectious joy.

“Andrew was a life member of the ACA, and our deepest condolences go to his family and many friends – for them he truly was larger than life,” a statement from chair Greg Dyer and CEO Todd Greenberg said.

“May Andrew’s memory be a blessing.”

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