- Mar 4, 2024
- Sep 4, 2022
During the first ODI that took place between Australia and Zimbabwe in Townsville at the Riverway Stadium, the family of Andrew Symonds paid tribute to the late cricketer.
Symonds’ death happened because of an auto accident in May near Townsville. He was 46 years of age when he met with the accident. Fans, players, family and friends had a minute of silence ahead of the start of the match before further tributes to the charismatic all-rounder took place during the innings break.
Andrew Symonds’ children, Chloe and Billy, have been given special status and have become honorary members of the Australian cricket team. Chloe and Billy came onto the field with Aaron Finch and Steve Smith and were standing with the players when the national anthems were sung. They also ran out to distribute water when the drinks break was called. The children also spent some time in the Australian Dugout.
Earlier, the outfield was decorated with Roy 388, which is Symonds’s nickname and Test cap number in fond memory of the former all-rounder.
At the interval, Symonds’ family, with Laura Vidmar, sister Louise and mother Barbara along with children and close friend Jimmy Maher walked to the pitch to lay his baggy green cap, his bat, his Akubra hat, a crab pot and a fishing Rod at the stumps. Symonds dogs, Buzz and Woody also walked out to the middle. Also, country classics such as ‘Hey True Blue’ and ‘Take Me Home, Country Roads’ were being played across the Riverway Stadium’s sound system.
“A really sad time obviously for Australian cricket over the last little while, it’ll be nice to have some tributes and his family here and stuff like that,” Australian captain Aaron Finch said before the game.
Andrew Symonds' family and friends paid tribute to the cricketer today in his hometown of Townsville ♥https://t.co/ze4uz39TvA #AUSvZIM pic.twitter.com/KzbFAiEsYC
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) August 28, 2022
“He literally changed the game. Roy was an amazing talented and natural cricketer. He was also a brilliant teammate,” said Australia coach Andrew McDonald. Symonds played 26 Test Matches for his country, with a career-best of 162 not out. He also played in 198 ODI’s scoring 5088 runs across a distinguished career.