Andrew Symonds, who was killed in a car accident on May 14th, was known for his aggressive batting, excellent fielding, and occasional spin/seam bowling, as well as a string of controversies.

Here’s a list of controversies that marred the talented cricketer’s career-

‘Monkeygate’ controversy

The ‘Monkeygate scandal‘, which occurred during India’s tour to Australia in 2008, is one of the biggest controversies in Indian cricket history. The incident occurred during the second Test of the series at the Sydney Cricket Ground and involved Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh and Australian all-rounder, Andrew Symonds.

Symonds had accused Harbhajan of racial abuse after allegedly calling him a “monkey” at the time. However, it was later revealed that the Indian cricketer had used a Hindi slur word that the Australian team misinterpreted.

This Symonds controversy, which began on the field, resulted in a courtroom battle.

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Attacked a streaker

On March 4, 2008, during the second final of the 2007–08 Commonwealth Bank Series against India, Symonds’ shoulder knocked down a male streaker who had entered the playing arena. Symonds, who once considered a career with the Brisbane Broncos, could have faced assault charges if the man had taken legal action.

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Pub brawl

Following the test series against New Zealand in 2008, Symonds was reported to have gotten into a pub brawl with another patron who had attempted to hug and photograph the cricketer. Cricket Australia later cleared him to play in the second test.

“Gone fishing”

Andrew Symonds was also kicked out of the squad’s one-day series against Bangladesh in Darwin after he went fishing and missed a team meeting.

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Controversial radio interview

Symonds was fined $4,000 in 2009 for his rambling radio interview in which he referred to New Zealand’s Brendon McCullum as “a piece of shit,” and was rumoured during the interview.

Symonds’ dissatisfaction with McCullum stemmed from New South Wales’ decision to field him in a Twenty20 final against Victoria last week, thereby making him eligible for the lucrative Champions League – the world club competition in India later this year.

Symonds issued a statement regarding the penalty in which he said: “Whilst the comments were intended to be light-hearted, I acknowledge that they were careless and as such I accept the fine that I have received today. I am pleased that the commissioner determined the penalty based on the full 14-minute interview and not just the one comment that received extensive coverage. I want to again apologise to Brendon McCullum for my comments and thank him for his understanding. I want to reinforce that I remain committed to Cricket Australia and Queensland Cricket, and I look forward to putting this matter behind me so that I can focus on my cricket.”

Symonds continued to play for Queensland but was not selected by Australia, missing three five-match series against South Africa, New Zealand and South Africa respectively.

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“Alcohol-related incident” 

In June 2009, Symonds was sent home for an “alcohol-related incident” dealing a blow to Australia’s chances in the Twenty20 World Cup. Captain at the time Ricky Ponting told a press conference that the decision was taken in the “bigger picture” of Australian cricket. 

In 2012, Symonds retired from all forms of cricket, in an attempt to concentrate on his family life.