Former Australian international cricketer Andrew Symonds died in a vehicle accident on Saturday night (May 14) around 50 kilometers outside Townsville. He was the only occupant of the car, according to the local police. The cricket community was devastated when the news broke that he had died in a car accident. Tributes have been paid to the late Australian cricketer following the demise. Let’s take a look at the top five memorable cricket moments in Andrew Symonds’ career.
Andrew Symonds Early Life and Family
Andrew Symonds was born on June 9 in 1975 in England, but his biological parents were unidentified. He was adopted by Ken and Barbara, and they moved to Australia when he was a toddler. Symonds had three siblings through his adoptive parents. He spent the early part of his childhood in northern Queensland. Andrew showed his sporting ability from an early age. His father was a cricket enthusiast, inspiring him to seek a career in the sport.
Andrew Symonds was married twice. He first got married to Brooke Marshall in 2004. However, that marriage didn’t last long as they both decided to part ways a year after their wedding. Later, Symonds married his second wife, Laura, in the year 2014. They first met each other when Laura was pursuing a Bachelor of Exercise and Movement Science degree at Queensland University of Technology (QUT) in the year 2004. The couple got engaged in 2009, and five years later, they tied the knot. Andrew Symonds left behind two kids and a wife.
Andrew Symonds’ international cricket career in a nutshell
Andrew Symonds made his international debut for Australia at the age of 23 against Pakistan in an ODI match in 1998. In 2004, Symonds played his first Test match against Sri Lanka. Australia was an invincible side during the early 2000s, so finding a place in the Test squad was very tough for the players. Symonds had to wait six years after making his debut for the Baggy Greens to play his first Test match, notably after the retirement of captain Steven Waugh.
Symonds was a member of Australia’s World Cup-winning 2003 and 2007 squads. His batting stats in both editions have proved how impactful he was for the Australian side. In 2003, Symonds made 326 runs with a batting average of 163. In 2007, he scored 189 runs with a strike rate of 98.43. Overall, Andrew Symonds scored 515 runs in 13 innings with an average of 103 in the World Cup.
Symonds had spurred a lot of controversy on the field. In particular, the Monkeygate scandal between Harbhajan Singh and Andrew Symonds is arguably one of the most controversial incidents in Test cricket history. The incident took place in the second Test between Australia and India in Sydney in 2008. The off-spinner, Harbhajan Singh, accused Symonds of abusing him verbally by labeling him as “Monkey”.
With the exception of a few controversial incidents, Andrew Symonds was a major match player and a terrorizing factor for the opposition.
Andrew Symonds International Career Stats
Andrew Symonds’ Five Memorable Moments in International Cricket
There were plenty of memorable cricket moments in Andrew Symonds’ career that fans will always cherish whenever they remember him. Here are the top five brilliant Andrew Symonds moments on the international stage for Australia.
5) Australia vs South Africa (2nd Test at MCG, 2005) | Result: Australia won by 184 runs
Andrew Symond’s Performance: (0, 3/50; 72, 2/6)
Australia took a 1-0 lead in the 3-match series by winning the second Test by 184 runs at the MCG. The charismatic all-rounder had a brilliant outing with the ball despite the fact that he was well-known for his destructive batting. Symonds picked up five wickets in the match, three in the first innings and two in the second innings. He didn’t disappoint the crowd as he hammered a 72-run knock in just 54 balls in the second innings, which helped Australia to give a 366-run target to South Africa.
4) Australia vs England (4th Test, MCG, 2006) | Result: Australia won by an innings and 99 runs
Andrew Symond’s Performance: (156)
Symonds also had his moments against his birth country and Australia’s arch-rivals England. In particular, his 156-run knock in the first innings of the fourth Test against England was remarkable to watch. Australia clinched the match by an innings and 99 runs.
3) Australia vs India (2nd Test, SCG, 2008) | Result: Australia won by 122 runs
Andrew Symond’s Performance: (162*, 0/19; 61, 3/51)
It was one of the most controversial Test matches ever due to the ‘Monkeygate’ scandal. However, no one can forget how devastating Andrew Symonds was in that particular match for Australia. He hammered an unbeaten 162* runs in the first innings and also made 61 in the second innings. With the ball, he took 3 crucial wickets in India’s second innings. Australia went on to win the contest by 122 runs and took a 2-0 lead in the 4-match series.
2) Australia vs Sri Lanka (2nd Final, SCG, 2006) | Result: Australia won by 167 runs
Andrew Symond’s Performance: (151, 2/32)
Andrew Symonds was known to be a big match player. He usually steps up whenever the team needs him the most. Sri Lanka saw a devasting Symonds in the second match of the best of three finals in 2006. The Lankan side was 1-0 up, so it was a do-or-die contest for the host to stay alive in the contest. Symonds produced a mesmerizing 151 off 127 deliveries, which helped Australia to score 368/5. In reply, Sri Lanka were bowled out for 201 and lost the contest by 167 runs. Symonds also picked up two wickets with the ball.
1) Australia vs Pakistan (4th Match, Johannesburg, 2003) | Result: Australia won by 82 runs
Andrew Symond’s Performance: (143*)
Perhaps Andrew Symonds’ greatest ODI knock came against Pakistan in the 2003 World Cup. He scored an unbeaten 143* off 125 deliveries. It was truly a special knock by him as, at one stage, Australia were down to 86/4. Symonds rose to the occasion and guided his side to get past the 300-run barrier. Australia clinched the match quite comfortably, by 82 runs.
Aftermath
Andrew Symonds was one of Australia’s finest all-rounders ever. His contribution to Australia’s white-ball cricket was very noteworthy. However, the late cricketer was often engaged in controversy both on and off the field. Having said that, nobody can deny the fact that in his prime he was the captains’ first choice whether giving breakthroughs or accelerating the run rates. There was a lot to offer from Symonds in terms of his knowledge of the game, and his sudden demise is surely a huge blow to world cricket.
Source: United Nations of Bangladesh