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Mark Tantrum / Getty Images
Dean Jones on the countdown to the 2015 Cricket World Cup in Wellington.
Former Australian cricketer Dean Jones died of a heart attack at age 59.
Jones, in Mumbai as part of the Indian Premier League’s official broadcast commentary team, suffered a major heart attack.
Close friends of Jones said he had gone for a run Thursday morning and had a heart attack at lunchtime in his hotel room. Former Australian fast bowler Brett Lee tried to revive him.
“It is with great sadness that we share the news of the passing of Mr. Dean Mervyn Jones AM. 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, “Star India said in a statement.
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“Dean Jones was one of the great ambassadors of the game and was associated with the development of cricket in South Asia. He was passionate about discovering new talent and raising 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. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends. “
Jones, a talented right-handed hitter, played 52 events and scored 3,631 runs, including 11 centuries, but will arguably be best remembered for his one-day international exploits, where he scored 6,063 runs, including seven centuries and 46 fifties, in 164 games. . His international career spanned from 1984 to 1994.
Stacy Squires / Stuff
Cricket greats Sunil Gavaskar (India), Dean Jones (Australia) and Sir Richard Hadlee (New Zealand) in the run-up to the 2015 Cricket World Cup.
Jones is survived by his wife Jane and their two daughters Phoebe and Augusta.
Tributes flowed from some of the greats in the game.
“Shocked to hear about the tragic loss of Dean Jones. Praying for strength and courage for his family and friends, ”said Indian captain Virat Kohli on Twitter.
Former Black Caps off-roader Scott Styris, a co-commenter for Jones, tweeted a crying emoji.
Black Caps all-rounder Jimmy Neesham, also playing in the IPL, added his tribute, tweeting: “Very sad to hear Dean Jones pass away. He was always a great guy to have a story on a cricket ground.
“I remember in Canada one of their stories was so funny that I actually forgot to warm up before bowling. D.E.P.”
Jones was inducted into the Order of Australia in 2006 for his services to cricket and charity and was inducted into the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame in 2019.
Cricket Australia President Earl Eddings said that cricket fans around the world would deeply miss Jones.
“Dean Jones was a hero to a generation of cricketers and he will always be remembered as a legend of this great game,” Eddings said.
“Anyone who has watched cricket in the 1980s and 1990s will fondly remember his arrogant focus on the fold and the incredible energy and passion he brought to every game he played.
Although many remember him for his brilliance in the game over 50, possibly Jones’ finest moment on the national team came in scorching conditions in Chennai in 1986, where his selfless and courageous 210 innings helped Australia achieve a famous draw against India.
Jones remained an immensely popular figure in Australian and Victorian cricket throughout his life and was a beloved columnist and commentator in all corners of the cricket world.
“This is a truly sad day. The loss of Deano will be felt not only at home in Australia, but around the world. Our thoughts and best wishes go out to his wife Jane and daughters Isabella and Phoebe. “
