Australian cricket mourned the loss of another of their greats with the passing of all-rounder Andrew Symonds, who died after being involved in a car crash. The all-rounder, who played 26 Tests, 198 one-day internationals and 14 Twenty20s at international level - between 1998 and 2009 - is another significant loss for Australian cricket, following the deaths of former wicketkeeper Rod Marsh and legendary leg-spinner Shane Warne earlier this year.

 

Born in Birmingham before being raised in Australia, Symonds played county cricket in the UK for Gloucestershire, Kent, Lancashire and Surrey. He also played for Queensland for 17 seasons, and for Deccan Chargers and Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League.

A powerful batter, canny bowler and fine fielder, he had jointly held the record for most sixes hit in a County Championship innings - he hit 16 in a knock for Gloucestershire against Glamorgan in 1995 and was part of two 50-over World Cup wins and Australia's Ashes victory over England in 2006-07.

Of his death, Cricket Australia chair Lachlan Henderson said: "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 was a cult figure to many who was treasured by his fans and friends."

CEO Nick Hockley added: "Andrew was a prodigious talent from an early age in Queensland with his clean ball-striking ability, shrewd spin bowling and brilliant fielding.

“He will be sadly missed by the Australian cricket community and particularly his very close friends at the Queensland Bulls where he was a popular and much-admired team-mate and friend. Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this devastatingly sad time."

Tributes to Symonds have been pouring in from around the cricketing world, including from former Australia wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist and fast bowler Jason Gillespie - team-mates of Symonds at the 2003 World Cup.

Married, with two children, he was 46.