Former Australian cricketer Andrew Symonds died in a car crash on Saturday night, about 50 kilometres outside Townsville at the age of 46. He was one of the greats to have played for Australia.
Symonds was the sole passenger in the crash and died at the scene, confirmed the police. The Australian great played 26 Tests, 198 ODIs, and 14 T20Is for Australia in his eleven-year-long International career. He has 6887 runs at an average of 40.27 and has taken 165 wickets across formats.
Along with his all-round exploits, Symonds was also an exceptional fielder. He was a two-time World Cup winner for Australia, in 2003 and 2007. In this article, we take a look at the three best moments from Andrew Symonds’ legendary career.
3 best moments from Andrew Symonds’ career
#3 162* vs India, SCG, India’s Tour of Australia 2007-08
The second Test between India and Australia in the 2007-08 tour, is remembered for the controversial ‘Monkey-gate‘ incident. However, Andrew Symond’s brilliant all-around performance has also been one of the talking points from the match.
After an emphatic win for Australia in Melbourne, they reached Sydney to take on India in the second match. Australian skipper Ricky Ponting won the toss and opted to bat first. At the time Symonds walked out to bat, his side was in a bit of trouble, having lost four wickets for 119 runs. He took on the Indian bowlers and smashed an unbeaten 162 with eighteen boundaries and two sixes.
Australia put on 436 runs on the board in the first innings. Continuing his form, Symonds slammed 61 runs and took 3/51 in the second innings. Australia eventually went on to win the game by 122 runs and Symonds was awarded the Player of the Match.
#2 156 vs England, MCG, England’s tour of Australia 2006-07
Australia dominated the visitors in the 2006-07 Ashes at home. They reached Melbourne for the fourth Test, with an unassailable of 3-0. As Damien Martyn retired mid-series, Symonds got the opportunity to bat at number six. The all-rounder grabbed the opportunity with both hands and made the most of it.
After bowling England out for 159 runs in the first innings, Australia also found themselves in trouble. They had lost five wickets for 84 runs on the board. From there, Matthew Hayden and Andrew Symonds got together to put on 279 runs for the sixth wicket. Hayden scored 153 runs, while Symonds smashed 156 runs to Australia to 419.
The hosts won the Test by an innings and 99 runs after bowling England out for the second time in the test match, for 161 runs. Australia whitewashed England in the 2006-07 Ashes 5-0.
#1 143* vs Pakistan, Johannesburg, ICC 2003 World Cup
Andrew Symonds’ selection in the ICC 2003 World Cup squad was debated, as he had managed just 69 runs in his previous seven innings. However, this knock against Pakistan was the breakthrough innings for the all-rounder, that launched a great career.
Symonds came out to bat with Australia reeling at 86/4 in their first match of the World Cup. He then took control and scored an unbeaten 143 from 125 balls. His knock included eighteen boundaries and two sixes.
Australia reached to a mammoth 310 runs in fifty overs. In response, Pakistan was bowled out for 228 runs. The win paved way for Australia’s third World Cup-winning campaign in 2003.
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