Australian cricket legend Andrew Symonds dies in road accident
Sydney(AP): Former Australian test cricketer Andrew Symonds has died after a single-vehicle auto accident near Townsville in northeast Australia. He was 46.
Cricket Australia reported Symonds' death on its website on Sunday, citing a police statement with details of the accident late Saturday night.
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".
"The Queenslander was a larger-than-life figure who drew a widespread fan base during his peak years for not only his hard-hitting ways but his larrikin persona."
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 international for Australia, and won two World Cups.
After retiring as a player, Symonds became a popular commentator for cricket broadcasters.
Queensland Police said the accident occurred at Hervey Range, about 50 kilometres (30 miles) from Townsville.
"Early information indicates, shortly after 11 pm the car was being driven on Hervey Range Road, near Alice River Bridge when it left the roadway and rolled," a police statement said. "Emergency services attempted to revive the 46-year-old driver and sole occupant. However, he died of his injuries."
Symonds' family appealed for privacy.
Former Australian captain Allan Border was among those to pay tribute to Symonds on Sunday. Border said Symonds "hit the ball a long way and just wanted to entertain".
"He was, in a way, a little bit of an old-fashioned cricketer," Border told the Nine Network. "He was an adventurer, loved his fishing, he loved hiking, camping. People liked his very laid-back style."
That style brought Symonds into conflict with authority late in his career. In 2008, he missed Australia's one-day series against Bangladesh after going fishing when he was required to attend a team meeting. He also was disciplined prior to the 2009 Twenty20 World Cup for breaching team rules around alcohol.
With dreadlocks and his face daubed with zinc cream, Symonds always cut a flamboyant figure in the Australian team.
His 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.
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FIR registered against hotel owner for derogatory remark against Kannada people on display board
Bengaluru, May 17 (PTI): A case was registered against a hotel owner on Saturday after a derogatory remark against Kannada people allegedly appeared on the hotel's variable message display board here, police said.
After the video of the incident that occurred on Friday night went viral on social media, the police swung into action and the alleged display board was removed, they said.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Southeast) Sarah Fathima said that under the Madiwala police station limits, it was found that a derogatory message against Kannada people was appearing on a variable message system board, and a suo-moto case was registered by the sub-inspector who monitors the social media.
"A case has been registered against the hotel owner who was running Gs Suites. An investigation is underway. Five people working there have been picked up for questioning. Owner is said to be abroad. All those linked will be issued notices and inquired," she said.
A detailed inquiry will be done to know how the message got generated, she said.
"Prima facie what we have come to know is that they (hotel) had complained to a company in Koramangala, who made the board, about different kinds of messages appearing on it," she told reporters.
To a question on claims if someone had hacked the system, she said, "We have called the company representatives to find out how the system works. Apparently, a contract was given to the company three years back for the boards, and from May 8 different kinds of messages appeared. Police came to know about it in the morning. We will have to gather electronic evidence."
Hate in the Heart of Bengaluru: Hotel GS Suites Publicly Abuses Kannadigas
— Karnataka Portfolio (@karnatakaportf) May 17, 2025
How can a hotel in Bengaluru openly display abusive language against Kannadigas on an LED screen? This happened at Hotel GS Suites in Koramangala, right in the heart of Karnataka’s capital. It’s… pic.twitter.com/8YSTNIngKP
