He was in Mumbai to participate in the commentary panel of the Star Sports for the IPL’s 2020 edition that is currently underway in Dubai.
Born on March 24, 1961 at Coburg in Melbourne, Victoria, the right-handed top-order batsman played for Australia, Derbyshire, Durham and Victoria. Jones was a right-arm offbreak bowler as well.
He played 52 Test matches scoring 3631 runs at an average of 46.55. With a 216 as his best score, Jones scored 11 centuries.
As per the report published in ESPN Cricinfo, Jones who was part of the commentary panel for Wednesday's match, had breakfast this morning and attended a pre-match debriefing with his colleagues. He is believed to have returned to his room and suffered the heart attack there.
Remembered for his double century in the famous tied Test between India and Australia in Chennai, Jones played 164 ODIs too. He was also part of Australia's 1987 World Cup-winning team. He carved a career in coaching and cricket commentary after his retirement from all forms of cricket in 1997-98.
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Indian cricket team captain Virat Kohli expressed his grief through a tweet that read, "Shocked to hear about the tragic loss of Dean Jones."
Shocked to hear about the tragic loss of Dean Jones. Praying for strength and courage to his family and friends. 🙏🏻
— Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) September 24, 2020
The official twitter handle of Indian Premier League (IPL) for which Jones was in Mumbai to participate in the post-match programme, "Dug-Out", expressed shock at the untimely demise of Jones as well.
We are extremely shocked and sad to learn of the untimely demise of Mr. Dean Jones. His energy and enthusiasm for the game will be truly missed. Our thoughts with his family, friends and his followers in this hour of grief. pic.twitter.com/gAAagImKeC
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) September 24, 2020
Similarly, former Indian swashbuckler, Virender Sehwag expressed his grief at Jones' demise.
Saddened to hear the news of Dean Jones passing away. Still cannot believe it. Was one of my favourite commentators, he was on air in many of my landmarks. Had really fond memories with him. Will miss him. pic.twitter.com/FZBTqIEGdx
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) September 24, 2020
Australian cricketer Steven Smith tweeted, "Awful to hear the news of Dean Jones passing away in Mumbai".
Awful to hear the news of Dean Jones passing away in Mumbai. He was a wonderful player for Australia and he will be missed. My thoughts are with his family. RIP Deano https://t.co/AmVhQiNEe2
— Steve Smith (@stevesmith49) September 24, 2020
Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar too condoled his death through a tweet.
Absolutely heartbreaking news about Dean Jones passing away.
A wonderful soul taken away too soon. Had the opportunity to play against him during my first tour of Australia.
May his soul rest in peace and my condolences to his loved ones. 🙏🏼 pic.twitter.com/u6oEY1h7zz— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) September 24, 2020
Most Memorable Innings
Vs West Indies, 1984
Jones was selected on the 1984 tour of the West Indies after Graham Yallop had to pull out due to injury. He was not picked in the original XI, but was drafted into the side after Steve Smith fell ill. Jones himself was very ill before the Test, and deemed his score of 48 on his debut as his best knock.
Vs India: Chennai Test, 1986
Jone’s most notable innings was against India and it came only in his third innings at Chennai in 1986. However the Test finished in a draw. Jones beat dehydration and braved extremely hot and humid conditions to score a double century of 210. He was frequently vomiting on the pitch. It was one of the defining moments in Jone’s career and one of the epic Test innings in Australian Cricket Folklore.
Ashes, 1986-87
Dean Jones became a thorn in England’s Ashes glory early enough in his career, as he romped his way to a superb unbeaten 184 at Sydney in 1986-87, engineering a consolation 55- run win for Australia after the series had been lost.
Vs West Indies, Adelaide, 1988-89
Another triumphant moment arrived in 1988-89 against the West Indians. In the fifth Test on a placid Adelaide pitch, he hammered Marshall, Pat Patterson, Ambrose and Walsh to pile up a career-best 216. The series, once again, had been lost and the match was an inconsequential draw, but it was a great statement for Jones who had missed the first two matches of the series.
Benson & Hedges World Series, 1988-89
Jones scored 7 hundreds in ODIs during his career. But his most brilliant innings was witnessed in the deciding final of the Benson & Hedges World Series 1988-89, against the West Indian pace attack at Sydney. In a rain-curtailed innings against an attack comprising Malcolm Marshall, Curtly Ambrose, Ian Bishop and Courtney Walsh, Jones played a blinder as the rest struggled. When the 38 possible overs were completed, Jones was unbeaten on 93 off 82 balls, with eight fours and two sixes. West Indies won with 28 balls to spare, but Jones etched his name in the lists of world’s greatest batsmen in world cricket.
And the Controversies
Despite his abundance of talent, Jones’ strong personality and tendency to speak his mind sometimes landed him into trouble. It resulted in friction and conflict with teammates, other players and selectors. Arguably the most famous incident during his international career occurred on 16 January 1993 during the first ODI final of the 1992-93 Benson & Hedges World Series against West Indies at Sydney Cricket Ground, when he asked pacer Curtly Ambrose to remove the wristband he was wearing on his bowling arm. Riled by this request, Ambrose went on to take 5/32 for the match.
The most infamous incident took place when Jones' commentating contract with Ten Sports was terminated after referring to South African player Hashim Amla as a ‘terrorist’ on 7 August 2006. When Amla, who is a Muslim with a full beard, took a catch, Jones was heard to say ‘the terrorist gets another wicket’. Jones made the comment during a commercial break, but the comment went to air live in South Africa as its broadcast had not been interrupted.
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