Andrew Symonds Public Memorial Service, Private Funeral In Townsville

Cricketing greats Ricky Ponting, Adam Gilchrist, Darren Lehmann, Jimmy Maher and Matthew Mott addressed at memorial service in Townsville in the final send-off for cricketer Andrew Symonds following his motor vehicle accident on May 14. Ricky Ponting and Adam Gilchrist led a busload of people to the private memorial service of Andrew Roy Symonds. Legendary wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist spoke to media following a private funeral held for the late Andrew Symonds in Townsville.

The 46-year-old’s children, Chloe and Billy, and their mother, Laura, were joined at Friday’s private funeral by Australian cricket legends Ricky Ponting, Adam Gilchrist, Mitchell Johnson and West Indies great Brian Lara. Their mother, Laura, had earlier spoken about the torment she felt, not just for herself, but also Symonds two children, son Billy.

Mott has reflected on the effect Symonds death has had on his two children, and said cricketing communities have wrapped their arms around the family. Legendary wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist said Symonds former Queensland and Australia teammate Jimmy Maher delivered one of the finest eulogies he had heard, including one addressed directly to Symonds children Chloe and Will.

Friday’s private funeral began with a video showing footage of Symonds as a boy, as well as work of some of his greatest moments in cricket — specifically, that time when he bowled the leg-spinner down the field. Around 500 people turned up to an event at Riverway Stadium, with cricketing great Ian Healy speaking of the brilliant career Symonds had.

They joined former Australia teammates of Andrew Symonds, fighting back tears, when they gathered at Riverway Stadium in suburban Townsville, North Queensland, for his private funeral on Friday. Andrew Roy Symonds was remembered by family and friends at a private ceremony attended by a number of Australian and worldwide cricket legends. Townsville mayor Jenny Hill said a public ceremony will be a chance for the community to farewell Andrew Roy Symonds.

Queensland and Australia teammate Matthew Hayden was not able to attend due to his IPL commentary commitments, but recorded a song that highlighted Andrew Symonds’s love for family, cricket, Queensland rugby league and great outdoors, that was played at the funeral. Poet Rupert McCall once again provided the closing address of the life of Andrew Symonds, speaking of the smirking, slicked-back killer and the monster six-armed snapper who silenced the critics as he revived his Test career with the famous knock against South Africa on Boxing Day. Former Australia captains Ricky Ponting, Darren Lehmann and Adam Gilchrist have lauded the efforts of Symonds, for his countrymen as well as the country, as well as his quiet demeanour which calmed even the tensest conditions.

Darren Lehmann called Andrew Symonds the best player he has ever managed, and Adam Gilchrist said that the thing that struck him the most was how so many of the older friends talked about Symonds life off the pitch, barely ever mentioning his amazing achievements on the cricket field.