Former Test captain Michael Clarke has paid a one-word tribute to Andrew Symonds after the former teammates and friends had a famous falling out.
Clarke, who was very close to Symonds when he came into the Australian team before their relationship broke down, posted on Instagram to say he was ‘devastated’ at the all-rounder’s death.
Symonds’ wife Laura also expressed her devastation after his sudden death.
He died in a single-car crash, throwing the sport and the nation into mourning.
The late Australian cricketer Andrew Symonds (right) is pictured with wife Laura and their son Billy
Shane Warne’s daughter Brooke, along with teammates, also expressed their sympathy. Warne and Symonds had been close friends as well as teammates.
Symonds, 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.
‘We are still in shock – I’m just thinking of the two kids,’ Ms Symonds said on Sunday morning.
‘He was such a big person and there is just so much of him in his kids.’
Michael Clarke and Andrew Symonds pose with the ICC World Cup trophy after the ICC final between Australia and Sri Lanka at the Kensington Oval on April 28, 2007 in Bridgetown, Barbados. The teammates were also great friends, before later falling out
She and children Chloe and Billy flew from Sydney to Townsville on Sunday morning after being told of Symonds’ death.
‘He was the most laid back person. Nothing stressed him out. He was an extremely chilled operator. So practical,’ Ms Symonds told News Corp.
She said the retired all-rounder was ‘extremely self-conscious about his intellect and would say “I didn’t go to Uni and don’t have degrees”, but he was so practical and really intelligent in his own way’.
Brooke Warne posted a picture of Shane Warne with two of his children, including Brooke, with Andrew Symonds to social media, saying ‘Rest in Peace Roy’. Symonds was known as Roy to many
Shane Warne’s daughter Brooke posted a picture to social media of her with her dad’s friend Andrew Symonds
Ms Warne posted a picture of Shane Warne and two of his children, including her, with Symonds to social media, saying ‘Rest in Peace Roy’. Symonds was known as Roy to many because his juniors coach thought he resembled Brisbane NBL star Leroy Loggins.
‘Heaven has gained another Angel,’ she added. Ms Warne also posted a seperate picture of her with Symonds online.
Two months ago, Symonds expressed his shock at the death of Warne.
‘I’m hoping this is all a bad dream I just can’t get my head around never seeing you again,’ he wrote.
‘Love to all the Warne family I’m speechless.’
The close mates spent last New Year’s Eve together at The Esplanade Hotel in St Kilda, Melbourne, along with their former teammate Michael Hussey.
Australian cricket legend Andrew Symonds (pictured) has died in a car crash in Queensland
Andrew Symonds (left) arrives for the State Memorial Service for cricket legend Shane Warne at the MCG in Melbourne on Wednesday, March 30, 2022. Symonds was killed in a car crash on Saturday night
Shocked former players have also paid tribute after the sudden death of their colleague.
‘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.’
Ash Gardner, a member of Australian’s women’s team, said she was ‘heartbroken’.
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.’
Andrew Symonds, who died suddenly on Saturday night, is pictured playing for the Bulls during the Twenty20 Big Bash match between the Queensland Bulls and the Western Australian Warriors at The Gabba on January 16, 2010 in Brisbane
Former Australia all-rounder Andrew Symonds, shown diving to make a century for Lancashire, has died in a car crash aged 46
Allan Border, who led the national team in the 1980s and 90s, was also full of praise for Symonds.
‘People liked his very laid-back style,’ Border said. ‘He lived in Townsville. When I spoke to him, I think he still had a hundred head of cattle he used to muster.
‘Symo away from the cameras and away from the spotlight, loved, I think, a bit of solitude and that is why he loved his fishing. Loved his own time.’
Pakistan cricket great Shoaib Akhtar said he was ‘Devastated to hear about Andrew Symonds passing away …
‘We shared a great relationship on & off the field. Thoughts & prayers with the family.’
Breakdown in relationship between Andrew Symonds and Michael Clarke
Speaking on The Brett Lee Podcast last month, Andrew Symonds indicated that Michael Clarke may have become jealous when Symonds was highly sought-after when the Indian Premier League started.
All-rounder Symonds was an ideal T20 cricketer and became the most expensive overseas player at the inaugural IPL auction, signing with Deccan Chargers for $1.8million.
‘We became close. When he (Clarke) came into the side I used to bat with him a lot,’ Symonds told Lee.
‘So when he came into the side I really looked after him. That built a bond.
‘Matthew Hayden said to me — when the IPL started, I got a pretty penny to go and play in the IPL — he identified it as there was a bit of jealousy that potentially came into the relationship (with Clarke) there.
Andrew Symonds (right) hobbles in pain as teammate Michael Clarke (left) looks on on the second day of the second Test Match against Sri Lanka in Hobart on 17 November 2007. Once close friends, the pair later fell out
‘Money does funny things. It’s a good thing but it can be a poison and I reckon it may have poisoned our relationship.
‘I’ve got enough respect for him to probably not go into detail about what was said.
‘My friendship with him is no longer and I’m comfortable with that, but I’m not gonna sit here and start slinging mud,’ Symonds said.
In his 2015 Ashes Diary, Clarke wrote that ‘Andrew Symonds went on TV to criticise my leadership. I’m sorry, but he is not a person to judge anyone on leadership.
‘This is a guy who turned up drunk to play for his country. It’s pretty rich for him to be throwing rocks.’