Kent cricket has paid tribute to former county star Andrew 'Roy' Symonds who has died in a car crash.

The Australian all-rounder died last night (Saturday) when his vehicle left the road about 50km west of Townsville in Queensland, police said this morning.

Emergency services tried to revive him at the scene of the car crash but the 46-year-old died of his injuries.

Former Kent Captain David Fulton, who skippered Symonds during his time at Kent, said: “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. Simply, a fantastic team mate.”

Club chairman Simon Philip said: “Andrew Symonds remains one of the most popular Kent players of the modern era.

“He contributed greatly to the club across all three formats. His rare talent left many extraordinary memories with those who saw him play. Our thoughts are with his family and friends.”

Paying tribute on social media, Kent Men head coach Matt Walker said: “He was a great player, a great team mate and another huge loss for the cricket family.”

A minute’s silence took place today before play on day four of Kent’s LV= Insurance County Championship match with Surrey at The County Ground, Beckenham.

In 2020, he was voted as Kent Spitfires’ Greatest Overseas Player by the club’s members and supporters. Symonds is also one of only five players in the club’s history to record a score of 100 or more in all three formats of the game for Kent.

Symonds received 443 out of over 2,000 total votes cast after leading the polls for the majority of the week-long search.

Symonds played for Kent County Cricket Club as an overseas player between 1999 and 2004.

He made 49 first-class appearances for Kent, scoring 12 hundreds for the county in red-ball cricket and amassing 3,526 runs at an average of 45.20. With his ability to bowl right-arm seam and off-spin, Symonds also contributed 65 red-ball wickets in his time as a Kent player.

He was awarded Kent Men’s Cap number 185 during his first season as a Kent player in 1999.

Symonds also made 62 List A appearances for Kent Spitfires, and scored 1,690 one-day runs at an average of 30.17, including ten scores of fifty or more.

His highest one-day total of 146 came against Lancashire at Tunbridge Wells in 2004. He also took 69 wickets at 21.53, including two five-wicket hauls. His best of 5-18 was in 2001 against Warwickshire, in the match that ultimately saw Kent crowned as Norwich Union League champions that year.

Symonds also featured in Kent’s first ever T20 match in 2003 against Hampshire at Beckenham, smashing 96 not out from just 37 deliveries in his trademark aggressive fashion.

He achieved a world record for the quickest T20 century at Maidstone in 2004 against Middlesex, reaching his ton in only 34 balls and in 37 minutes, ending on 112 from 43. His batting average in T20s for Kent was a huge 35.77 in ten appearances, and he took seven wickets at 33.28.

The club tweeted about the sad news earlier.

The tweet said: "The Club is shocked & saddened to learn of the passing of former overseas star and cult hero, Andrew Symonds.

"The thoughts of everyone at Kent Cricket are with “Roy”’s family & friends at this desperately sad time."

Other cricketers have also paid tribute to Symonds.

Former Kent captain Dave Fulton, who played alongside Symonds, also tweeted earlier this morning.

He said: "Horrendous, numbing news. 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. Simply, a fantastic teammate. RIP Big fella #Roy"

Symonds' death is the latest to shock the cricketing world, which recently lost fellow Australian Shane Warne.

Ironically, the message on Symonds' Twitter feed, dated Devember 21, 2020, said: "Doing a road trip with @ShaneWarne and @McDonalds sharing so (many) stories - 1st stop Adelaide."

Others have since added tributes such as Gabbie Smith who wrote: "Sharing more stories together once more. RIP Roy."

Wayne Kerr added: "How utterly devastating. Both gone far too young. So many memories of two great cricketers. RIP lads. Sending love to your families."

Dr Alex Koefman wrote: "Wow. Now both gone. This is just impossible to understand."

And a twitter user called Abhishek apne posted a touching tribute which said: "Incredible team man. Could bat anywhere, could bowl medium pace as well as spin, caught almost everything and if he threw the ball, it would always hit the stumps."

He included an action photo of Symonds in full sporting mode diving for the ball.

The MCC (Marylebone Cricket Club) added to the tributes. It said: "MCC is saddened to learn of the death of Andrew Symonds.

"An Australian great and skilled all-rounder, Andrew made the Lord’s Limited Overs Honours Board in 2004 and will always be remembered at the Home of Cricket.

"Our thoughts are with his family and friends."

Symonds was the 'monster' in the Aussies' 90s cricket squad and the man other teams admitted they hated to face.

He was always easily spotted on the pitch with his trademark white sun block smeared around his lips.