Cricketer Andrew Symonds Has Passed Away In A Car Accident Aged 46

Former Australian cricketer Andrew Symonds has died in a car accident aged just 46.

Symonds, known affectionately to friends and fans around the world as 'Roy', was in a single car accident 50kms outside Townsville, as reported by Queensland Police.

Symonds represented Australia with distinction, his aggressive batting and potent bowling - both spin and seam - made him a powerful player in all forms of the game, and much loved by Aussie cricket supporters.

One of his finest moments was a devastating 156 against England in the Boxing Day Test, rescuing Australia from 5-84 and bringing up his maiden Test ton with a typically magnificent six over long on. Symonds celebrated with arms wide and head screaming to the sky as he was embraced by team-mate and fellow Queenslander Matthew Hayden, with whom he shared a 279-run partnership. 

Symonds continued an outstanding Test career - many pundits felt he should have played more for his country - finishing with an excellent average of 40.6 with the bat from 26 Tests. He made his mark in limited over cricket too, averaging 39.8 from 198 One Day Internationals, and 48.1 from 14 T20s.

Queensland Police released the news of Symonds passing overnight, reporting he was involved in a single-car incident around 10.30pm on Hervey Range Road near the Alice River Bridge. Paramedics could not resuscitate Symonds, who was alone in the car.