Dean Jones, former Australian cricketer, dies aged 59 after heart attack in India
The former Australian cricketer Dean Jones has died at the age of 59 after suffering a heart attack in Mumbai, where he was working as a TV analyst on the Indian Premier League. It was reported that Jones collapsed in the lobby of his hotel in Mumbai as he entered with the former Australia fast bowler Brett Lee, who attempted to revive him with CPR.
Jones played 52 Test matches for Australia from 1984-1992, scoring 11 Test centuries and averaging 46. His most famous innings was 210 in the tied Test at Madras in 1986. After suffering dehydration, Jones subsequently had to be treated on a saline drip in hospital. Jones also scored two centuries during Australia’s 4-0 Ashes victory in England in 1989, and his determination and aggression helped lead Australia away from a period in the 1980s that ranks among the least successful in the nation’s cricketing history.
Yet it is for his contribution to one-day cricket that Jones will be best remembered. Jones was a pioneering one-day international cricketer, bringing a new intensity to his running between the wickets - he was a master of scoring twos, using the large outfields in Australia to great effect - and to ground fielding. He was ranked the best ODI batsman in the world from 1989-1992, and was Australia’s number three in their unlikely triumph in the 1987 World Cup.
Jones also thrived in county cricket. He was outstanding in Durham’s inaugural first-class season, in 1992, when he averaged 74. Jones subsequently captained Derbyshire in 1996 and 1997, leading Derbyshire to second place in 1996.
After retiring from the game in 1998, Jones worked in a series of roles within the game, notably as a commentator and coach, leading Islamabad to the inaugural Pakistan Super League title in 2016.
For his wide-ranging contribution to the sport, Jones was inducted into the Australia Cricket Hall of Fame last year.
David Warner was among those to pay tribute saying: "I can’t believe this news. So very sad to hear about this. Rip Deano, you will be missed."
Indian batsman Virat Kohli said: "Shocked to hear about the tragic loss of Dean Jones. Praying for strength and courage to his family and friends."
