Former Australian cricket legend Andrew Symonds who passed away on May 14th 2022 was regarded as one of the best all-rounders of all time. He was close to many Australian cricketers, most notably former teammates right-hand batsman Mathew Hayden, and skipper Michael Clarke. 

Before things went astray between Symonds and Clarke following the laters captaincy, the two shared many monumental partnerships on the field for Australia as well as a great friendship off the field.

Also Read|‘You owe me a drink’: Andrew Symonds and Michael Clarke’s iconic banter

Symonds’s relationship with Clarke started getting sour after Clarke became captain of the Australian cricket team in 2008. Symonds had criticised Clarke’s captaincy skills on TV. 

The former captain spoke about this in his 2015 Ashes Diary stating, “Andrew Symonds went on TV to criticise my leadership. I’m sorry, but he is not a person to judge anyone on leadership. This is a guy who turned up drunk to play for his country. It’s pretty rich for him to be throwing rocks.”

Also Read|Andrew Symonds dies at 46: A look at the Australian legend’s 5 best innings

Talking to The Brett Lee Podcast, the all-rounder said that their friendship went sour after he got a good salary in the IPL.

 In the inaugural 2008 edition, Symonds became the most expensive overseas player as he was picked by Deccan Chargers for INR 5.4 crore. The second-highest bid that year.

Also Read|Who is Brooke Marshall, Andrew Symonds’ ex-wife?

“We became close. When he (Clarke) came into the side I used to bat with him a lot. So, when he came into the side I really looked after him. That built a bond.” Symonds stated.

He continued, “Matthew Hayden said to me when the IPL started, I got a pretty penny to go and play in the IPL — he identified it as there was a bit of jealousy that potentially came into the relationship (with Clarke) there.

Also Read|Andrew Symonds dies at 46: Monkeygate to alcohol, 5 major controversies

“I guess Money does funny things. It’s a good thing but it can be a poison and I reckon it may have poisoned our relationship. I’ve got enough respect for him to probably not go into detail about what was said. My friendship with him is no longer and I’m comfortable with that, but I’m not gonna sit here and start slinging mud.”

Also Read|Andrew Symonds net worth, value, earnings

Symonds’s untimely death came as a shock to the whole world. Several players from the cricket fraternity paid tribute to the late cricketer on social media.

The cricketer was in a single-car accident near Alice River Bridge on the Hervey Range Road when the vehicle left the road and flipped.