Dean Jones: Former Australia batsman dies aged 59

Cricket pays tribute to star player, coach, and IPL pundit

Captain Allan Border holds the trophy as Dean Jones (l) looks on after Australia had beaten England by seven runs to win the 1987 Cricket World Cup Final in Calcutta, India. Getty

Dean Jones celebrates a one day International century against Pakistan in 1987 in Perth, Australia. Getty

Durham, Victoria and Australia batsman Dean Jones pictured looking out of the Pavillion window at the Racecourse ground circa 1991 in Durham, United Kingdom. Getty

Former Australia batsman Dean Jones and the head coach of Islamabad United plays a shot during an exhibition match at Rawalpindi Cricket stadium in Rawalpindi in 2016. AFP

Steve O'Keefe of Australia receives his Baggy Green cap from Dean Jones in 2014 in Dubai. Getty

Former Australian cricketer Dean Jones. AFP

United coach Dean Jones makes notes during the game between Islamabad United and Quetta Gladiators in the Pakistan Super League at The International Cricket Stadium, Dubai, in 2019. Chris Whiteoak / The National

The international cricket community has been paying tribute to Dean Jones, who has died aged 59.

The former Australia batsman was in Mumbai to work as a television pundit on the IPL, when he suffered a heart attack on Thursday morning.

Star India, the broadcasters for whom Jones had been working on the IPL, expressed their condolences in a statement.

“It is with great sadness that we share the news of the passing away of Mr Dean Jones,” the statement read.

“He died of a sudden cardiac arrest. We express our deep condolences to his family and stand ready to support them in this difficult time.

“Dean Jones was one of the great ambassadors of the game associating himself with cricket development across South Asia.

“He was passionate about discovering new talent and nurturing young cricketers.

“He was a champion commentator whose presence and presentation of the game always brought joy to millions of fans.

“He will be sorely missed by everyone at Star and his millions of fans across the globe."

The IPL organisers also issued a statement expressing shock at the news.

“We are extremely shocked and sad to learn of the untimely demise of Mr Dean Jones,” the IPL statement said.

“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.”

Tom Moody, a teammate of Jones’ in the Australia side with which he twice won the Ashes, as well as the 1987 World Cup, said he will be greatly missed.

“Speechless with the tragic news of the passing of my great mate and beloved cricketing man,” Moody wrote on social media.

“You will be sorely missed by your cricketing family. Sincere condolences to Jane and the girls.”

Jones was a regular to the UAE, first as a player with Australia at tournaments in Sharjah.

More recently he had coached in the Pakistan Super League and the T10 League, and had been a regular behind the microphone, too.

“[Islamabad United] is deeply saddened by the news,” the franchise wrote of the coach who led them to the title in the first PSL.

"We can't thank him enough for what he did for our team. He will be #RedForever. Our thoughts and prayers with his family."