'I always wanted Andrew Symonds on my team' - Ricky Ponting

Former Australian skipper Ricky Ponting paid a heartfelt tribute to his former fellow teammate Andrew Symonds soon after the news broke about the latter's sudden demise in a car accident on Saturday (May 14) night.

The cricketing world was left devastated as former Australian cricketer Andrew Symonds lost his life at the age of 46 in a car accident on the outskirts of Townsville.

Just like everyone around the world, Ricky Ponting paid his tribute to the former Australian all-rounder whom he called an "extraordinary player" following his demise and always wanted on his team sheet.

"If Roy shook your hand, you had his word, that's the sort of bloke he was, and that's why I always wanted him on my team. An extraordinary player and even better human being. Can't believe he's gone. Thoughts are with his family at this time," Ponting Tweeted.

Before the 2003 World Cup, it was Ponting who wanted the inclusion of Andrew Symonds into the Australian squad, despite Symonds' poor form. The burly all-rounder repaid his captain's faith by performing out of his skin, especially against Pakistan. 

"We found ourselves in trouble; Roy went in at 4 for 80 or something and pulled off one of the great hundreds, that was the launch of an undefeated run at a World Cup. Without Roy's innings in that game who knows what happens, he set the tone. That's probably the innings that really springs to mind for me," Adam Gilchrist on Symonds against Pakistan and his ability to pull his team out of trouble in ODIs. 

Symonds stepped up to Ponting's and selectors' belief following the controversial selection of the Queenslander for the mega event in South Africa. Later in the tournament, Symonds played another crucial role in the Semi Final against Sri Lanka. 

The heavenly abode was a two-time World Cup winner and a vital part of the Australian Test side in the mid-2000s. He was someone who was a complete all-round package as his match-winning potential with both bat and ball was unmatched.