Former Australian Cricketer Dean Jones Dies of Heart Attack In Mumbai

Former Australian cricketer and commentator, Dean Jones, has died of heart attack on Thursday in Mumbai. Jones was 59 years old. In India, he was fulfilling his commitments for Star Sports network by being in a commentary panel for the Indian Premier League (IPL). Jones, reportedly, suffered a massive heart attack at noon, at his hotel in Mumbai.

Jones was a prolific batsman, who had played 52 tests and 164 One Day Internationals ( ODIs) for Australia. In tests, he had scored 3,631 runs at an average of 46.55. While in ODIs, he scored 6,068 runs with seven hundreds and 46 fifties. He was also a part of the 1987 Australian world cup squad.  

In 1984, Jones made his ODI and Test debuts. He was included in the Australian cricket team after the retirement of legends such as Greg Chappell and Denise Lille. His most memorable test innings of came in the 1986 test against India, when he scored 210 against the home team in the warm and humid climate of Chennai. The match went for a tie. 

Jones had a great first-class career, which he began by making a debut for Victoria in the 1981-82 season in the Sheffield Shield. He made 19,188 runs with 55 centuries and 88 half-centuries. His highest score is 324 not out. He also played for Derbyshire in English County Championship, and also led the Derbyshire in the 1996 County Championship season. The team finished as the runner-up in the championship.

Jones also coached Islamabad United in Pakistan Super League; and under his coaching, the team became a champion in both the 2016 and 2018 seasons. In Pakistan Super League, he also coached Karachi Kings by replacing Mickey Arthur. 

Jones took retirement from international cricket. 

On the death of Jones, ICC CEO said “We are extremely sad to hear of Dean's sudden death and I would like to extend our deep condolences to his family and friends on behalf of the ICC.”

Indian skipper, Virat Kohli also tweeted on Jones's death, writing, “Shocked to hear about the tragic loss of Dean Jones. Praying for strength and courage to his family and friends.”

Jones was known as “Professor Deano” because of working in cricket analysis shows of sports channels such as Star, and with his passing away, indeed an era has come to an end in the world of cricket.