Cricket Australia pays tribute to Dean Jones at MCG

The Melbourne Cricket Ground saw ‘Hall of fame’ echo in its iconic stands as Cricket Australia paid tribute to former Kangaroo batsman Dean Jones. Tim Paine’s Australia, the Indian team along with the Jones family commemorated the cricketer’s life at the tea break of the Boxing Day Test. Dean died of a heart attack in September.

Widely regarded as one of the most impactful One-day batsmen Australia has ever produced, Jones played his last game at the international level in 1994. His wife Jane mentioned the significance of the Indian team being present for the special occasion.

“He loved the sub-continent and they loved him. We are really thrilled they are here,” Jane was quoted as saying by ‘Sydney Morning Herald’, PTI reported.

Dean Jones’ baggy green and bat were placed against the stumps, as the family accompanied by former Australia captain Allan Border paid their tributes. The former cricketer turned commentator was closely associated with the sub-continent, one of his best knocks (210 runs) coming at Madras in 2010. He also engaged in coaching and commentary there.

The crowd cheered for ‘Deano’ as his wife and daughter kissed his cap, waving and acknowledging all the support from the stands. Allan Border, who is considered as a close associate and a friend of Dean Jones was the only player to take part in the ceremony. The tribute was arranged at sharp 3.24 PM, recognising Jones’s Test number, 324 and his highest first-class score of 324, scored against South Australia on the MCG in 1994.

Dean Jones played 52 Test matches and 164 One-day Internationals, scoring over 9,600 international runs, had passed away in September, at the age of 59.

India take on Australia in the second test match of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, starting on December 26. Australia lead the series 1-0.