sport news The greatest and most controversial moments from Andrew Symonds' stellar ... trends now
Australian cricket lost one of its most lovable and talented stars when Andrew Symonds died in a car accident on Saturday night, robbing the game and the nation of a man who was a lightning rod for the spectacular and the controversial during his 26-Test career.
From the moment he debuted on the world stage in 1995, the hard-hitting all-rounder stamped himself as the sort of cricketer you could never take your eyes off. At any moment he could hit a monster six, take a pivotal wicket - or, in one famous incident, deck a streaker with a shoulder charge a footy player would be proud of.
As fans mourn his tragic passing, one image that's sure to crop up time and time again is the dreadlocked star leaping into teammate Matthew Hayden's arms after scoring his first Test century during the 2006 Ashes Boxing Day match at the MCG.
The innings that stopped a nation: Symonds celebrates with his mate Matthew Hayden as he scores his first Test century in a knock that saved the 2006 Boxing Day match for Australia
The all-rounder had been under pressure to keep his spot in the side coming in to the Test and responded in typically aggressive fashion, smashing a six down the ground to bring up his ton
Symonds was under pressure to keep his place in the side after getting out cheaply in his previous Test, and the Aussies were in dire straits as he strode to the crease with the score at 5/84.
What followed was possibly his finest moment in the baggy green as smashed the English attack and brought up his first Test hundred in typical style, hammering a six straight back over the bowler's head before raising his arms in triumph and celebrating wildly with his great mate Hayden.
His knock of 156 was a huge turning point and Australia smashed the old enemy to the tune of an innings and 96 runs.
Symonds wasn't an instant hit when he first made the country's one-day team in 1998, struggling to nail down a place in an incredibly talented side - but that all changed at the 2003 World Cup.
Australia was struggling in the side's first game of the tournament, down four wickets for just 86 runs against Pakistan, and in desperate need of a saviour.
Symonds was just that, turning the game and his career around with an unbeaten knock of 143 from just 125 balls as Australia won that match and every game after it to be crowned world champions.
'Roy' - seen here with Michael Clarke after Australia won the 2007 World Cup - was instrumental in the side's 2003 triumph in the tournament, smashing a stellar 143 to dig the side out of a huge hole against Pakistan
The tournament transformed Symonds from a bit player for Australia into a mainstay of the team.
From 2007 to 2008 he smashed 777 runs in just nine Tests, recording his highest career score of 162 in a sensational innings against India at the SCG.
But that clash also featured one of the most controversial episodes of Symonds' time on the pitch.
The Aussie accused Harbhajan Singh of calling him a 'monkey' during the Test, which saw the Indian spinner hit with a racial vilification charge.
In what became known as 'Monkeygate', the Indian team threatened to quit the tour altogether when Singh was suspended for three matches, before the ban was overturned by the International Cricket Council.
Symonds was livid with the handling of the incident and accused Cricket Australia of failing to back its
