Shane Watson, in a recent interview, praised Andrew Symonds and called the late Queenslander the best teammate he ever had. Watson recalled many happy memories the two had shared on and off the field.
Recalling how the teammate stood tall in front of all the problems and made the team bullet-proof, Watson said, “You felt bulletproof when you played in the same team as Andrew Symonds, having him at point and just knowing he always had your back no matter what. And to bat with him was something very special.”
“It is shattering to think he is not with us anymore. I look back at old footage I have seen over the last couple of weeks and (shaking head) he was so good, just so incredibly good. And to go with it one of the best teammates you could ever have.”
Watson compared Symonds to West Indies legend Sir Vivian Richards, saying that few players are born with the same skill as the robust all-rounder. He said, “He was very much Viv Richards reincarnated in the way he played,” Watson noted. “Even before I played against him you always heard about this big, powerful, six-hitting batter who could do everything and who was an amazing athlete.
His ability to bowl spin and medium pace, he was one of the best fielders to ever play. His all-round ability was something we haven’t seen much of and won’t see much of again.”
Recalling his fondest memory with the late cricketer, Watson mentioned an old incident from domestic Sheffield Shield match the duo played together for Queensland where Symonds thrashed Brad Hogg, a veteran left-arm spinner.
He eleborated “He always thought spin was there just to be smashed out of the ground and this was on show during a game when we were batting together at the WACA for Queensland,”
“I was facing Brad Hogg and I was just sort of waiting for a loose ball. I got through a couple of overs not scoring much, and (I thought) Brad was bowling OK.
“Andrew Symonds in between the overs just came up to me and said, ‘If you don’t get me on strike for the next over, I am going to run you out’. He was just sick of me blocking them. Then I got him on strike and the next two balls from Brad Hogg were just launched straight into the stand at the WACA.”
Watson also showed concerns about Symonds family and kids and how he strives to take care of them. He said “His poor two kids, such beautiful kids and they adored their dad as well. We need to make sure we rally around his family as much as we can, as I know he would do that for us.”
Symonds’ untimely demise left the cricket fans around the world in shock. He passed away in a car accident in Queenslands last month. Prior to him the world also lost two legends of the game in Shane Warne and Rod Marsh, who passed away in unfortunate circumstances.
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