Devastated teammates lead tributes to Australian cricket great Andrew Symonds after death in crash

Shocked teammates have been leading the tributes after the sudden death of Australian cricketing great Andrew Symonds. 

Symonds died in a single-car crash, throwing the sport and the nation into mourning. 

The retired all-rounder, 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. 

‘Emergency services attempted to revive the 46-year-old driver and sole occupant, however, he died of his injuries,’ Queensland Police said on Sunday morning. 

‘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.’