Andrew Symonds: 1975-2022

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

The Australia International starred for Kent between 1999 and 2004, and 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.

An extremely talented white-ball cricketer, 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.

The right-armer also featured in Kent’s first ever T20 match in 2003, 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.

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.

Kent Cricket’s Chair, 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 and 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 teammate and another huge loss for the cricket family.”

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 teammate.”

A minute’s silence will take place before play on Day Four of Kent’s LV= Insurance County Championship match with Surrey at The County Ground, Beckenham.

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“It was a terrific five seasons playing with Kent, developing my game under different conditions.

“Kent is a Club steeped in history and cricket tradition and I thoroughly enjoyed that.”

Kent Cricket in Conversation: Andrew Symonds