Fishing almost cost Symmo his life

Stephen Gray, the co-author of Roy: Going For Broke, brings out some aspects of Andrew Symonds’ life

MUMBAI: This is not the first time Andrew Symonds got into trouble for going on fishing. Actually, he almost lost his life because of his hobby. According to Symonds’ biographer, he and his national teammate Matthew Hayden had had to swim for three hours in the shark-infested waters after their boat had sunk.

“Matthew, Andrew and another friend went for swimming. As it happened, the boat had suddenly sunk leaving the three in deep water. They had to swim for more than three hours to reach an island. They knew there were sharks in the water but they dared to do it,” Stephen Gray, who has co-authored Symonds’ biography Roy: Going for Broke, had told this writer.

According to Gray, the three were rescued from the island but the incident did not faze him or frighten him in any way.

He adds, after retirement Symonds will kill his time fishing. “I’ve no doubt how he would spend his superannuation. He will have a house near the sea and will buy a good fishing boat. He will also go swimming and farming but fishing will be his primary activity after he has done away with cricket.”

Gray says cricket may be Symonds’ profession but fishing has been passion since childhood. He spends hours in the water trying to catch the fish.

Gray reveals that Symonds inculcated the habit because he grew up in the outbacks of Australia. “Andrew developed fishing hobby in his childhood. He spent his early days in the outbacks of Queensland where swimming and fishing are a way of life. He never misses a chance to go out on a long fishing sail.”

The 33-year-old all-rounder was born in England but was raised by an Australian couple who adopted him. According to him Symonds may still not be aware who his real parents are.

Gray reveals that Ricky Ponting is close to Symonds but the real buddy in the Australian team is Hayden.

Before his career had really taken off in the 2003 World Cup, Symonds had a long slump. The Queensland selectors wanted to axe him even from the state squad and Hayden then had come to his rescue. Recalls Gray: “Matt went to the state chairman of selectors and explained him the importance of Andrew for the side. They were not willing to consider because Andrew was not getting runs. Matt then pleaded with them to give him a few more chances. He came back and sat with Andrew. The discussions brought about a change instant change. Andrew went on scoring centuries in one session for his state.”

Maybe, Hayden may have to come to the rescue of Symonds once again, for all the time they spend catching the fish.