It’s a tragedy that are writing this article with the title ” A Walk Down Memory Lane,” because what happened today was one of the most shocking things to happen in the cricketing world, as the great Andrew Symonds died tragically in a car accident at the age of 46, and the world lost a true great of the game. Personally, we admired his batting and his ability to hit the stumps almost always directly. All fans will miss Roy, as he was affectionately known.
With that said, let us discuss his career and honour this great man. Andrew Symonds appeared in 26 Test Matches, scoring 1462 runs at a good average of 40.61, with 10 half centuries and two Test hundreds, with a highest score of 162*. However, he was more prolific in the One-Day International format, appearing in 198 ODIs for Australia and scoring 5088 runs at an average of 39.75 and a strike rate of 92.44. With a highest score of 156, he had 30 half centuries and 6 ODI hundreds. Let’s walk down memory lane through some of his best moments.
Hitting first Test Hundred
This moment when a batter hits the first century in test match cricket for their country is one of the most gratifying feelings for any cricketer, and it came for Andrew Symonds vs England in the 2006 Ashes when he scored 156 runs in just 220 balls at a strike rate of over 70 at the iconic MSG. This will be a memory he cherishes for the rest of his life.
Winning first ODI Match for Australia
We discussed his first test century and how we will discuss the moment he won his first ODI match for Australia. It was in 1999, very early in his career, and he made 68* from 68 balls to win the match for Australia while chasing 159 in 38 overs. When a player wins a match for their country, it is a proud moment.
A memorable World Cup Hundred
Andrew Symonds
One of his best innings came against Pakistan in the 2003 World Cup at Wanderers in Johannesburg, where he absolutely smashed the bowling attack, which included Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, Shoaib Akhtar, and Shahid Afridi. He batted first and scored 143* off 125 balls, with 18 fours and two sixes, as Australia won the match by 82 runs. It was a memorable hundred at cricket’s biggest tournament.
Getting a Hundred at Lord’s
Another moment that every cricketer secretly desires is a century at Lord’s, which Andrew Symonds achieved in a match against Pakistan in 2004. He was the only Australian player to score more than 53 runs in the innings, scoring 104* in 103 balls with 9 fours and 1 six. This was one of his most enjoyable innings to watch, and we’re sure it was a very special moment for him.
Best ever bowling performance
Although Andrew Symonds was best known as a batter, he was no slouch with the ball, as evidenced by his best bowling performance. In 2005, he took 5 wickets against Bangladesh. In this ODI match, Bangladesh batted first, and Andrew Symonds ripped through the batting order, taking 5 wickets and giving away only 18 runs in 7.2 overs of bowling, limiting Bangladesh to 139, which Australia chased down with 10 wickets remaining.
Andrew Symonds’ five biggest controversies
As previously stated, the all-rounder was one of the most talented cricketers of his era; however, he was also one of the most divisive cricketers of his era. From the ‘Monkeygate’ scandal to his expulsion from Australia’s tour to Bangladesh in 2008, the 46-year-old has been dogged by scandals. The following are the five most contentious incidents in Andrew Symonds’ career.
Monkeygate Saga
The Monkeygate scandal broke during India’s 2008 tour of Australia. Symonds accused former India spinner Harbhajan Singh of calling him a “monkey” during the 2008 Sydney Test. Harbhajan Singh was banned for three Tests as a result of this. However, the BCCI stood up for his star player and threatened to pull out of the tour, which resulted in the charges against Harbhajan being dropped.
Michael Clarke and Andrew Symonds
Michael Clarke and Andrew Symonds had a great friendship when the former was starting out in his career. However, Symonds’ purchase by the Deccan Chargers in the Indian T20 League tainted his relationship with Michael Clarke. Symonds claimed that his friendship with Clarke was tainted by the money in the Indian T20 League.
“Money does funny things. It’s a good thing but it can be a poison and I reckon it may have poisoned our relationship,” Symonds confessed in his last days.
Alcohol issues
Symonds was a passionate cricketer on the field, but he was much more off it. He was released from the Australian team prior to the tri-series game against Bangladesh in Cardiff in 2005. The decision
was made by team management because Symonds had consumed alcohol the night before. Alcoholism was a major factor in his retirement from the game in 2012.
Choosing to go fishing over a team meeting
Symonds lived his own life and was unconcerned about team rules. In 2008, the Australian team visited Bangladesh. The team was having an important meeting, but Symonds skipped it to go fishing. The team’s captain at the time, Michael Clarke, was outraged, and this incident played a significant role in Symonds’ exclusion from the next India tour.
Tackling a pitch intruder
During a game against India at the Gabba, a naked pitch invader approached Andrew Symonds, who was playing at the non-end. striker’s Symonds shoved him, and the intruder collapsed flat on his back.
“Well that streaker could have done some injury to Andrew Symonds because he seemed to run straight at him, and all of a sudden, he was on his back,” legendary commentator Richie Benaud had said on air.
