Dean Jones dies: Deano's loss will be felt across the globe, says Cricket Australia chairman
Dean Jones was in Mumbai as part of the commentary team for the Indian Premier League and suffered a fatal heart attack on Thursday afternoon.
In Short
- Dean Jones died of a heart attack at a Mumbai hotel on Thursday. He was 59
- Jones was in India to fulfill his commentary commitments for IPL 2020
- Jones played 52 Tests and 164 ODIs for Australia during an international career which spanned 8 years
Cricket Australia chairman Earl Eddings mourned the sad demise of former national team star Dean Jones, who died of a heart attack at a Mumbai hotel on Thursday. He was 59.
Jones was in India for his commentary commitments for the host broadcaster of the Indian Premier League 2020. The 59-year-old suffered a massive heart attack in the afternoon after 12 PM which resulted in his demise.
"Dean Jones was a hero to a generation of cricketers and will forever be remembered as a legend of this great game.
"Anyone who watched cricket in the 1980s and 1990s will fondly recall his cavalier approach at the crease and the incredible energy and passion he brought to every game he played.
"Although many remember him for his brilliance in the 50-over game, arguably Jones’ finest moment in the national team came in scorching conditions in Chennai in 1986, where his selfless and courageous innings of 210 helped Australia to a famous tie against India.
"Jones remained an immensely popular figure in Australian and Victorian cricket throughout his life and was a much-loved columnist and commentator in every corner of the cricketing world.
"This is a truly sad day. Deano’s loss will be felt not just at home in Australia, but across the globe. Our thoughts and best wishes are with his wife Jane and daughters Isabella and Phoebe," Cricket Australia Chairman Earl Eddings said in a statement.
Dean Jones, regarded as one of the finest batsmen of his generation, was part of Australia's World Cup-winning team in 1987.
Jones played 52 Tests and 164 ODIs for Australia during an international career which spanned 8 years between 1984 and 1992. He scored 3631 runs in red-ball cricket at an average of 46.55 with 11 hundred and 14 half-centuries. In one-day internationals he amassed 6068 runs at 44.61 with 7 hundreds and 46 fifties.
The Victorian is best remembered for his performance in the tied test against India in Chennai in 1986, when he battled extreme heat and physical exhaustion to notch a memorable double century.