Symonds played 26 Tests for Australia in which he scored two centuries. He is, however, better recognized as a specialist limited overs cricketer. The right-handed batsman played 198 One Day Internationals for Australia and was part of the World Cup winning team twice.
After retiring as a player, Symonds gained popularity as a commentator. Queensland Police have said the accident occurred on the Harvey Range, about 50 km from Townsville. According to the police statement, “Preliminary information indicated that the car was being driven on Harvey Range Road after 11 p.m. and it veered off the road near the Ellis River Bridge.”
It said, ‘Emergency service personnel tried to save the 46-year-old driver who was the only person in the vehicle. However, he died due to injuries.” Symonds’ family has appealed for privacy. Former Australia captain Allan Border was among those who paid tribute to Symonds on Sunday.
Border said, ‘Symonds used to hit the ball far and just wanted to have fun.’ He told the ‘Nine Network’, ‘He was a somewhat traditional cricketer in a way. He was adventurous, he loved fishing, hiking, camping. People loved his style.
Symonds, however, had to face differences with officials in the later stages of his career due to his attitude. He was dropped from Australia’s ODI series against Bangladesh in 2008 when he went fishing instead of attending a team meeting. Disciplinary action was also taken against him for violating the team’s alcohol rules before the T20 World Cup in 2009. This is another big blow for the Australian cricket world, which also lost leg-spinner Shane Warne and legendary wicket-keeper Rod Marsh in March.