Andrew Symonds, former Australia all-rounder, dies in car accident

Melbourne, May 15: Australian cricket star Andrew Symonds has died in a car crash, local reports and fellow players said Sunday, in another tragic blow for the sport after the recent deaths of Shane Warne and Rod Marsh.

Reportedly, Symonds had been involved in a single vehicle incident in Hervey Range, 50 km from Townsville on Saturday night.

It described Symonds as "a cult hero during the peak of his international playing career and one of the most skilled allrounders Australian cricket has seen".

"The Queenslander was a larger-than-life figure who drew a widespread fan base during his peak years for not only his hard-hitting ways but his larrikin persona."

Symonds played 26 test matches for Australia and posted two centuries, but he was better known as a limited-overs specialist. He played 198 one-day international for Australia, and won two World Cups. After retiring as a player, Symonds became a popular commentator for cricket broadcasters. Queensland Police said the accident occurred at Hervey Range, about 50 kilometres (30 miles) from Townsville.

"Early information indicates, shortly after 11 pm the car was being driven on Hervey Range Road, near Alice River Bridge when it left the roadway and rolled," a police statement said. "Emergency services attempted to revive the 46-year-old driver and sole occupant. However, he died of his injuries."

Symonds' family appealed for privacy. Former Australian captain Allan Border was among those to pay tribute to Symonds on Sunday. Border said Symonds "hit the ball a long way and just wanted to entertain".

"He was, in a way, a little bit of an old-fashioned cricketer," Border told the Nine Network. "He was an adventurer, loved his fishing, he loved hiking, camping. People liked his very laid-back style." That style brought Symonds into conflict with authority late in his career. In 2008, he missed Australia's one-day series against Bangladesh after going fishing when he was required to attend a team meeting.

He also was disciplined prior to the 2009 Twenty20 World Cup for breaching team rules around alcohol. With dreadlocks and his face daubed with zinc cream, Symonds always cut a flamboyant figure in the Australian team.

His loss is another bitter blow for Australian cricket after the death in Thailand in March of legendary leg-spinner Shane Warne. Wicketkeeper Rod Marsh also died in March aged 74.