News of the death of former Australian cricketer Dean Jones on Thursday shocked the cricket fraternity with his colleague Irfan Pathan and even revealed that he was “fine in the morning.”
Dean Jones was in India for his commentary engagements for the 2020 Indian Premier League host broadcaster. The 59-year-old suffered a massive heart attack in the afternoon after 12pm which resulted in his passing.
Irfan Pathan, who is also on the IPL 2020 comment panel, claimed in his tweet that Jones was absolutely normal prior to his death.
“I am deeply shocked and saddened by the passing of our fellow commentator #DeanJones. He was fine in the morning. I had a video call with his son two days ago. Everything was fine. Everything was normal. I can’t believe this #RIP,” Irfan tweeted Pathan.
I am deeply shocked and saddened by the disappearance of our fellow commentator. #DeanJones It was fine in the morning. I had a video call with your son two days ago. Everything was fine. Everything was normal. I can not believe this #D.E.P
– Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) September 24, 2020
Tributes and messages of condolence for the Victorian began to reach social media shortly after the news of his death. Team India and Royal Challengers Bangalore captain Virat Kohli led the tributes on Twitter alongside Sunrisers Hyderabad skipper David Warner among others.
Shocked to hear about the tragic loss of Dean Jones. Praying for strength and courage for his family and friends.
– Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) September 24, 2020
I can’t believe this news. It is very sad to hear this. Rip Deano, we will miss you. pic.twitter.com/Mc8h36gnWe
– David Warner (@ davidwarner31) September 24, 2020
In complete shock to hear about the sad passing of Dean Jones. One of a kind, you were Deano and how lonely and helpless you must have felt alone in that hotel room, a death that commentators fear the most and that we will probably find, defenseless and missing in that hotel room …
– Ramiz Raja (@iramizraja) September 24, 2020
Surprised to hear that Deano no longer exists. It was always a pleasure to see his groundbreaking hitting and professorial analysis in the studio. It was so full of life. You will miss seeing him on TV and talking cricket with him. D.E.P #DeanJones
– Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) September 24, 2020
Absolutely devastated to hear about the disappearance of Dean Jones. A colossal loss for the cricket community. Your connection with Chepauk will always be appreciated. Condolences to his family and friends. May his soul rest in peace. pic.twitter.com/mDHO0d76d0
– Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) September 24, 2020
Saddened to hear the news of Dean Jones’ passing. I still can’t believe it. He was one of my favorite commentators, he was on the air on many of my benchmarks. I had very good memories with him. I will miss it. pic.twitter.com/FZBTqIEGdx
– Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) September 24, 2020
Absolutely heartbreaking news about the death of Dean Jones.
A wonderful soul taken away too soon. I had the opportunity to play against him during my first tour of Australia.
May your soul rest in peace and my condolences to your loved ones. pic.twitter.com/u6oEY1h7zz– Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) September 24, 2020
“It is with great sadness that we share the news of the passing of Mr. Dean Mervyn Jones AM,” Star India confirmed in a statement.
“He died of sudden cardiac arrest. We express our deepest condolences to his family and are ready to support them through this difficult time. We are in contact with the Australian High Commission to make the necessary arrangements.
“Dean Jones was one of the great ambassadors of the game who was associated with the development of Cricket in South Asia. He was passionate about discovering new talents and nurturing young cricketers. He was a champion commentator whose presence and presentation of the game always brought joy to millions of fans. Everyone at Star and his millions of fans around the world will miss him deeply, ”Star Sports India, the host broadcasters of IPL 2020, confirmed the news of Jones’s passing in a statement.
Dean Jones played 52 tests and 164 ODIs for Australia during an international career that lasted 8 years between 1984 and 1992. He scored 3,631 runs in red ball cricket with an average of 46.55 with 11 hundreds and 14 half centuries. In one-day international matches he accumulated 6068 runs at 44.61 with 7 hundreds and 46 fifty.
