Andrew Symonds: Legacy and his IPL stint
Andrew Symonds, regarded as a nightmare for contending teams for his explosive on-field character, died tragically in a car crash aged 46 on Sunday
Former Australia cricketer and two-time World Cup winner Andrew Symonds died in a car crash on Saturday nightCricket Australia confirmed the much-celebrated Australian all-rounder's death. Throughout his career spanning 11 years, Andrew Symonds wreaked havoc on cricket grounds. His untimely demise came as a massive shock to the entire cricket fraternity worldwide. Arguably one of the nest all-rounders will always be lauded for his impeccable innings with bat and ball. As the world bids adieu to the legend, we look at some of his achievements.
Symonds' career
He debuted his career in 1995; however, he kick-started his national stint in 1998. In his career spanning from 1998 to 2008, he featured in 26 Tests and 198 ODIs for Australia. The Aussie amassed 5000-plus runs and 133 wickets in ODI.
Symonds' Test career witnessed the all-rounder scoring 1462 runs with two centuries and ten fifties. He made his debut in the whites in 2004 against Sri Lanka.
Twin World Cup winners (2003 and 2007)
One of the most explosive innings is his match-winning knock of 143 against Pakistan in the 2003 World Cup. He took his crumbing team from 4-84 to 8-310, sealing the triumph for his nation. This performance came bursting after his struggling form over the past five years. Four years later, he helped his squad win the 2007 edition of the tournament in style.
Another one of the most memorable knocks came in partnership with Ricky Ponting in 2006 against Sri Lanka, where he smashed 151 off 127 balls to take his team's total to 368.
Most expensive overseas buy-in inaugural IPL edition
Apart from a successful international stint, Andrew Symonds became the second most expensive cricketer in the auction, bought by Deccan Chargers for $1.35 Million. He played a crucial role in helping the team claim the title in 2009. He played his last IPL for Mumbai Indians in 2011. In his IPL career, he accumulated 974 runs and 20 wickets in 39 matches to become one of the most loved overseas players.
Condolences poured for the legend on social media
Cricket Australia tweeted, "Vale Andrew Symonds.
We are shocked and saddened by the loss of the loveable Queenslander, who has tragically passed away at the age of 46."
"Today, I have lost my closest man.
You were just not a colleague
My family, my man
My Symonds uncle, I will miss you terribly
RIP" reads the tweet by Indian leggie Yuzvendra Chahal
"Terrible news to wake up to. Saddened to know that Andrew Symonds is no more. Gone way too soon. Thoughts go out to his family and friends. May God give them the strength to cope with this tragedy. # RIP," wrote Wasim Jaffer.
Aakash Chopra tweets, "Terrible and shocking. Andrew Symonds is no more. Too many good people have gone away too soon. RIP mate."