Andrew Symonds dies: Big-hitting cricket star’s moments in pics

Known for his swashbuckling middle order batting displays, he was an accomplished all-rounder who could bowl both off-spin and medium pace.

Symonds' death occurred with Australian cricket still coming to terms with the the passing of all-time greats Rod Marsh and Shane Warne, who both died in March.

Symonds was able to hit the ball exceptionally hard and some coaches early in his career dismissed him only as a big-hitter whose untempered appetite for sixes would limit his progress.

But he also could bowl sharp medium pace and off breaks and was an athletic fielder who was able to build a credible test career.

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 internationals for Australia, and won two World Cups.

Cricket Australia reported Symonds' death on its website on Sunday, citing a police statement with details of the accident late Saturday night near Townsville in north-eastern Australia. (Andrew Symonds and Rohit Sharma/ Express photo by Kevin D'Souza/FILE)

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.” (Express Photo by Kamleshwar Singh / Chandigarh/FILE)

Early in his career he was a close friend and confederate of Michael Clarke who went on to become Australia captain. The pair fell out when Clarke denounced aspects of Symonds' conduct and Symonds publicly criticized Clarke's leadership. (With Harbhajan Singh during his stint for MI in IPL/FILE)

Mumbai Indian players Harbajan Singh and Andrew Symonds during the nets at Wankhade Stadium, (Express photo by Kevin D'Souza.)

Symonds' 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.