Cricketers past and present across the world have paid emotional tributes to Andrew Symonds after his death in a road accident. It also includes his Australian teammates and international stars. They are all shocked by this news. From former Australia wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist to fast bowler Jason Gillespie, apart from India’s great batsman Sachin Tendulkar paid tribute to this all-rounder. Andrew Symonds died in a car accident in Queensland on the night of Saturday, 14 May 2022. Apart from being an aggressive batsman, Andrew Symonds was also a fine fielder capable of bowling medium pace and spin. He played 26 Tests, 198 One Day Internationals and 14 T20 Internationals for Australia from 1998 to 2009. He was a key member of Australia’s team that won the ODI World Cup in 2003 and 2007.
Symonds was fondly called by people as ‘Roy’. He was 46 years old. Apart from his wife, he has two children in his family. Gilchrist, who was a member of Australia’s team that won the 2003 World Cup, expressed his grief by tweeting. Gilchrist wrote on Twitter, ‘Think of your most confidant, fun-loving friend who would do anything for you. That’s Roy. It’s very painful. I am missing her a lot. Rest in peace Royman.
Gillespie, who played with Symonds, tweeted, “Woke up in the morning so bad news. I am very disappointed. We will all miss you friend. Another member of the World Cup 2003 champion team, Michael Bevan, wrote, ‘Heartbreaking news. Australian cricket lost another hero. I am shocked Played together in the 2003 World Cup team. Brilliant talent. May his soul rest in peace.’
Former Australia fast bowler Damien Fleming is broken by this sad news. Fleming wrote, ‘It is so much more disappointing. Roy’s presence was fun. This is heart breaking news. Our condolences are with the family of the Symonds. May Bhagwan Roy’s soul rest in peace.
Former Australia coach and cricketer Darren Lehmann also mourned on Twitter. Lehman wrote, ‘He was a great man, I loved him a lot. Our sympathies are with his family. May Bhagwan Roy’s soul rest in peace. Indian cricketers including Tendulkar, Harbhajan and VVS Laxman have also paid tribute to Andrew Symonds.
Condoling the news, Sachin Tendulkar wrote, ‘The news of the passing of Andrew Symonds is shocking to all of us. Apart from being a brilliant all-rounder, he was a very lively person on the field. There are many fond memories of spending time together in Mumbai Indians. May his soul rest in peace, condolences to his family and friends.
Former batsman of Indian cricket team VVS Laxman wrote, ‘Bad news was received in India early in the morning. My dear friend God rest your soul. Such sad news. Legendary spinner Anil Kumble also offered condolences to the family of Symonds. He wrote, ‘Sad news of the passing of Andrew Symonds. Condolences to his family, friends and well wishers. Former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar and Afghanistan leg-spinner Rashid Khan also paid tribute to Symonds.