The world of cricket lost another genius in Andrew Symonds whose untimely demise in a car accident left everyone in shock. While the fraternity is still recovering from the loss of spin wizard Shane Warne, the tragic news of another Aussie great’s unfortunate death was a bolt from the blue for admirers of the game all across the globe. A terrific batter, sharp fielder, and clinical spinner – Andrew Symonds was one of the biggest game-changers of Australia in the past decade.
Take a look at a few of Symonds’ best innings that showed why he was considered one of the most flamboyant cricketers to have ever don the baggy green.
143*– 2003 World Cup: Australia vs Pakistan
It’s beyond any debate that the Australia side of the 2000s were not just a world-beater team but one of the best squads to have played the sport with such invincibility at the international level in the history of cricket. It was not easy for the likes of Symonds to get a chance in the XI that already had the best in the business. Every chance counted for the Queenslander. Tthus it was a wait for one special knock that could prove that he too belongs to the league of legends. Australia was facing Pakistan in a high voltage World Cup clash and were left in a cumbersome situation after the Pakistan pace battery reduced them to 86/4.
In came Symonds, and what followed was him claiming his breakthrough moment in international cricket. The pace of Shoaib Akhter-Wasim Akram- Waqar Younis and the spin of Shahid Afridi, looked totally ineffective as the big man was in full flow with the willow. He smashed 18 fours and 2 sixes, in his magnificent 125-ball 143* as Australia were 310-8 at the end of 50 overs, all credits to a miraculous recovery led by Australia’s newest matchwinner on the block.
Read Also: Andrew Symonds cause of death: Former Australian cricketer dies in a car crash aged 46
162*: Australia vs India, 2008
The SCG Test between India and Australia back in 2008 remains one of the most controversial Tests in the history of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy rivalry. Poor umpiring to alleged racial abuse – the match was rocked by a polemic atmosphere. The monkey-gate scandal between Harbhajan Singh and Andrew Symonds overshadowed the latter’s brilliance with the bat that helped Australia equal the world record of 16 consecutive Test wins. The middle-order batter stood firm as a rock countering the Indian attack. Despite surviving a close lbw appeal and a stumping, Symonds headed to his second Test hundred which he followed by a game-changing fifty in the final innings leading Australia to a remarkable victory in a closely fought battle.
156: Australia vs England, 2006
England were flying high after sending Ponting, Hussey, and Clarke back in the hut for cheap scores. Australia were on the backfoot in the Boxing Day Test. Andrew Symonds was making a comeback in red-ball cricket and had an uphill task at hand. He joined good pal Matthew Hayden in the middle with Australia at 86-5. The duo changed the dynamics of the game in a flash, as England cluelessly saw the match going out of their hands. Symonds slammed his maiden ton in style with a six-off Collingwood’s delivery. His 156 off 220 balls did not just come in a winning cause but perfectly set the tone for a historic whitewash against arch-rivals England.
117*: Deccan Chargers vs Rajasthan Royals, 2008
His style of play was ideal for T20 cricket. Thus it was not surprising for fans when he became the most expensive overseas signing in the maiden edition of IPL. In his third game, the power-hitter seared Rajasthan Royals’ bowling attack to hit a 53-ball 117. Shockingly enough, his superb ton was not enough for the Chargers to defeat the Royals. Symond’s Aussie team-mate and Royals skipper Shane Warne went after the former in the final over to take RR home in one of T20’s greatest chases ever.
Read Also: Brendon McCullum Set To Become The Next Coach Of England Cricket Team As Per Reports
151: Australia vs Sri Lanka, 2006
Once again Australia was in trouble as the top-order faltered slipping to 10-3 in the third over. Sri Lanka were 1-0 up in the series and were eyeing a memorable victory in SCG. But it was Symonds again who was there in the crease to do the unthinkable. He slewed the Lankan bowling unit. Australia were cruising to a massive score after a fluent recovery from the initial collapse. The hosts ended at a colossal 368-5 courtesy of the monstrous 127-ball 151. Sri Lanka completely lost track in the chase. Symonds was awarded the Player of the Mach for his scintillating knock and 2-wicket haul.
RIP Andrew Symonds, thank you for all the entertainment on the field.
