Former Australia allrounder Andrew Symonds dies aged 46

Symonds played 26 Tests, 198 one-day internationals and 14 T20Is between 1998 and 2009 during a glittering career

Former Australia allrounder Andrew Symonds has died at the age of 46 after being involved in a car crash.

Symonds played 26 Tests, 198 one-day internationals and 14 T20Is between 1998 and 2009 during a glittering career. As well as being a powerful batter and a skilful bowler, he was widely considered to be one of the great fielders of his generation.

He was part of two World Cup-winning sides and featured during Australia's Ashes victory over England in 2006/07.

A statement from Queensland police said that Symonds' car had "left the roadway and rolled", adding that "emergency services attempted to revive the 46-year-old driver and sole occupant, however, he died of his injuries".

Cricket Australia chair Lachlan Henderson described Symonds as "a generational talent who was instrumental in Australia's success at World Cups and as part of Queensland's rich cricket history".

Born in Birmingham before moving to Australia when he was three months old, he spent time in county cricket, turning out for Gloucestershire, Kent, Surrey and Lancashire.

"He was a brilliant, combative cricketer who could win a game with bat, ball, in the field or with his sheer will to win and presence on the field," said David Fulton, his Kent captain. "Simply, a fantastic teammate."

^{Fans observe a minute's silence ahead of the NRL fixture between Wests Tigers and North Queensland Cowboys (Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)}

Speaking on Channel Nine, former Australia captain Mark Taylor said: "He was an entertainer in an era where professionalism really is a throwaway word that we use probably too often. He wanted to go out there and have fun and play the game he remembered as a kid.

"At times he got in trouble for not going to training or maybe having a few too many beers, but that is the way he lived his life and the way he wanted to play his cricket also."

Allan Border added: "He was, in a way, a little bit of an old-fashioned cricketer. He was an adventurer, loved his fishing, he loved hiking, camping. People liked his very laid-back style. He hit the ball a long way and just wanted to entertain."

Following his retirement from playing, Symonds worked as a commentator for Fox Sports and was a regular part of their Big Bash team.