Dean Jones death: Darren Lehmann recalls own brush with fate and how legend’s passing left him shattered
Darren Lehmann admits he is shattered by the passing of Dean Jones — both a mentor and friend — but it serves to push him beyond his own fitness boundaries in a tribute to “the legend”.
Cricket
Don't miss out on the headlines from Cricket. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Dean Jones’ shock death has reinforced to Darren Lehmann that he must continue his health crusade for the sake of his life and others.
The former Aussie cricket coach suffered a heart attack on his 50th birthday back in February and underwent a triple bypass after waking up at 4.30am in a cold sweat and unable to breathe.
Lehmann, in many ways the quintessential Aussie bloke, has quit smoking, moderated his drinking and is this month raising money for the Heart Foundation as the face of an important initiative called My Marathon, aimed at getting Australians out and active to foster their heart health.
Watch every match of the 2020 IPL Season LIVE on Fox Sports with Kayo. New to Kayo? Get your free trial now & start streaming instantly >
CRICKET NEWS
‘Let’s get it sorted’: Star’s plea in cricket broadcast stand-off
Chubby cheeked Chooks fan who became an Aussie star
Last Thursday, while Lehmann was busily raising money, the entire cricket world was rocked by the tragic passing of Australian cricket great Jones, just 59 years of age, to a massive heart attack of his own.
For Lehmann, the sense of loss was compounded by flashbacks to what he went through and that nagging dark thought that it could have been him.
“You do have those thoughts. Once you’ve had a heart attack, the actual physical recovery’s not too bad. It’s the mental side. You have all those bad thoughts come in. I still have them,” Lehmann told News Corp.
“You go through those and you’ve just got to work through them as time goes by. That’s the best way to sum it up.
“I’m one of the lucky ones, I suppose, on the other side (to Jones). It can happen at any time. You just don’t know it’s coming. There are no warning signs as such.
“That would have been so tough for Deano’s family. It shakes you and it keeps life in perspective for you again I suppose.
“Without my family, I would have struggled because the help they’ve given me behind the scenes mentally has been unbelievable. Pretty special.”
DEAN JONES DEATH
Shattered Lee ‘gave everything’ to save Deano
How Deano legacy inspired the ODI king
The unlikely friendship between Elton and Deano
How Jones, Hadlee became cricket’s quirkiest union
Lehmann regarded Jones as a mentor and a friend, and is shattered by his passing.
Former Test captain Mark Taylor revealed last week that Jones had confided in him about concerns with his heart, but it was something Jones never discussed with Lehmann.
Another Aussie great Mark Waugh told News Corp that Jones’ death has served as a massive “wake-up call” to players of his age group.
And that has been Lehmann’s primary motivation with My Marathon, where he will run or walk 42.2km — the distance of a marathon during the month of October.
“It’s about raising funds but also about sharing my story and making people aware and that’s what it’s about. The awareness of it and making sure your friends and mates are getting checked up. All my mates have been doing that,” said Lehmann.
“Deano was actually on a fitness campaign when all this happened, that’s the amazing thing.
“He was nicknamed appropriately, ‘the legend’. He actually looked after everyone really well. A lot better than people probably give him credit for in the public domain.
“He encouraged me, helped me, challenged me, scolded me, all those things you want from your mentors and leaders.”
Lehmann admits the toughest thing about his health journey has been quitting cigarettes, having smoked between 15 and 20 a day since he was 20 years of age.
He has also learnt discipline with his drinking. The difference has been remarkable.
“Just being able to breathe, mate. That’s the big thing,” said Lehmann, who believes he’ll be less “grumpy and uptight” and more “philosophical” when he returns as coach of the Brisbane Heat this summer.
“I didn’t realise how blocked my arteries were and my heart was until I came out of the operation.
“I’m going to bed earlier which is a good thing — by 10 or 10.30pm most nights.
“Obviously the smokes is the tough one, but it’s just a change you have to do. Once a smoker, always a smoker, you’re always going to have that addiction, so you try and stay away from those scenarios.
“There’s a lot more alcohol-free days, that’s the best way to put it.”
Originally published as Dean Jones death: Darren Lehmann recalls own brush with fate and how legend’s passing left him shattered