Dean Jones dead: Mark Waugh says the architect of modern cricket deserves highest honour
‘You’ve got to put him right up there in the top echelon.’ And, for that reason according to Mark Waugh, Dean Jones should be rewarded with the highest possible honour outside the MCG.
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One of Dean Jones’ main selection rivals for Australia has suggested a statue be built in the Test icon’s honour at the MCG.
Mark Waugh was locked in a tense three-way battle with Jones and Damien Martyn to start the 1992 Test summer, and it was Jones who controversially missed out, never to play again.
Waugh admits it was harsh for Jones to have not played more than 52 Test matches given his record, and responded to the shock news of the Victorian batting wizard’s tragic death by lauding him as an all-time great of Australian cricket.
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According to Waugh, a statue among the pantheon of sporting icons like Sir Donald Bradman, Keith Miller, Dennis Lillee, Betty Cuthbert and Leigh Matthews outside the famous MCG would be an appropriate honour for a man who was one of cricket’s certified trailblazers.
“Well, he should get the highest honour, whatever that might be,” Waugh told News Corp.
“Whether it’s a statue at the MCG, (that wouldn’t be out of place) that’s for sure.
“Deano was obviously very outspoken and had a lot of great ideas about cricket and sometimes that rubs people up the wrong way. But you can’t deny his passion and what he’s achieved on the field for Victoria and Australia.
“He’s one of the greatest, really.
“You’ve got to put him right up there in the top echelon.”
Fox Cricket expert, Waugh played 128 Tests and said Jones was desperately unlucky not to have been given more of an opportunity in the baggy green.
“Myself and (brother) Stephen were fighting for his spot there at one stage,” said Waugh. “You look at his record (average 46.55) and he probably was a bit harshly dealt with, definitely.
“He was not a streaky batsman, but he’d go through periods where he’d get a lot of low scores, but then when he was dominating, he was such a great player.
“He could change the game so quickly. His record speaks for itself, really.
“When you’re averaging mid to high 40s you probably deserve a bit more.
“I don’t know the reason why he didn’t play any more than that. On his day, he was as good as anybody in world cricket, definitely.”
Waugh was himself a prince of white ball cricket, but he considers Jones the country’s pre-eminent one-day player.
Former Australian greats were in shock on Thursday night as former Test opener Michael Slater — commentating on the IPL alongside Jones — relayed the terrible news on whatsapp.
“He was really ahead of his time if you look back on it,” said Waugh.
“His strike rate was a lot higher than anybody else’s. Some of the shots he used to play. He danced down the wicket, gave himself room.
“He was just a bit different to everybody else. His running between the wickets, he was so quick and just the energy he carried in one-day cricket was a bit different to everyone else.
“I think he was a bit of a trailblazer. An innovator. He was a fantastic red ball cricketer, but his white ball batting was amazing.”
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BOXING DAY PLAN TO HONOUR JONES
The Boxing Day Test could be filled with Victorians wearing sunglasses and zinc on the bottom lip as a tribute to local legend Dean Jones.
Cricket Victoria wants to use the blockbuster against India to honour the state’s greatest-ever ODI run-scorer at the MCG.
The state will also look to repair its relationship with the Jones family after it turned sour six months ago.
Jones tore up his Cricket Victoria life membership earlier this year and demanded that his name be removed from the state’s award for the best one-day player.
Australian captain Aaron Finch received Cricket Victoria’s “One-Day Player of the Year” award in April, whereas last year Peter Handscomb was given the “Dean Jones Medal”.
But CV general manager Shaun Graf said Jones would live on as a giant of Victorian cricket who always wanted the best for his state.
“It was one of those things with a slight difference of opinion and obviously he thought a couple of things could’ve gone his way,” Graf said on Friday.
“We’ll certainly be looking to have a chat about these things and seeing if there is a way of bringing him back into the fold from a Cricket Victoria point of view.
“He was always someone who pushed the boundaries and he was that type of player.
“But he’s a Victorian, he loved playing for Victorian – that was the big thing.
“He loved his Victorian teammates. He certainly kept in touch with Andrew Ingleton, the CEO, and he was always pushing ways to get more Victorians into the Test team and things like that.
“It was always on his radar. But in relation to that sort of stuff we’ll deal with that at a later date and will certainly be looking to repair whatever problems we had.”
CV will discuss its tribute ideas with the Jones family before making any plans.
“It’s pretty raw at the moment,” Graf said.
“But I’ve got no doubt the Cricket Victoria board and management will look at how we can do it.
“It would be ideal if we could do it at the Boxing Day Test.
“Whether everyone has zinc cream on the bottom lip or wears the sunnies or whatever it may be.
“That’s something we could do to help commemorate him.”
New Victorian coach Chris Rogers called Graf at 6.45pm on Thursday with the news that Jones had suffered a heart attack.
“I didn’t believe it to start with, but unfortunately it’s true,” he said.
“My last season with Victoria he came into the side and I played with him on a couple of occasions.
“He’s one of our greatest cricketers, no doubt whatsoever.”
HEARTBROKEN DAUGHTER’S TRIBUTE TO JONES
World cricket is mourning one of its great revolutionaries and characters, following the shock death of Aussie great Dean Jones.
The legend of the 1986 tied Test in Madras and one of the finest one-day international players the game has ever seen, Jones suffered a heart attack in Mumbai, where he was stationed to commentate on the IPL for broadcaster Star Sports.
Former star Brett Lee was on the scene and performed CPR on the 59-year-old, but was unable to save Jones’ life.
BELOW: CRICKET WORLD HONOURS THE LEGENDARY BATSMAN
RIP Dean Jones. Great character of cricket, and superstar player. Thoughts are with his family @NewsCorpCricket
— Ben Horne (@BenHorne8) September 24, 2020
Jones is survived by his wife Jane and two daughters, Phoebe and Isabella.
Isabella described her father as “the sweetest and most caring person” in a tribute penned on social media.
“I can’t believe I am writing this. My heart is broken,” Ms Jones wrote.
“My dad. My hero. The sweetest and most caring person you could ever meet.
“If only you could see how many lives you’ve touched. If only you could see how loved you were.
“You held my hand through the toughest times this year, how will I do this without you.
“The heavens have opened their gates for another angel. Wait for me Dad.
“Everything I do is for you. I love you dad.”
Just a quick note to say a Merry Xmas to all... and have a super New Year ahead. From all of my family! Janey(taking the photo🤣) Gussie and Phoebe. And Trevor the Jack Russell! 🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄 pic.twitter.com/T9OEqzBxCl
— Dean Jones AM (@ProfDeano) December 24, 2019
The television crew working with Jones are understood to be in a distressed state following his shock collapse around the middle of the day in Mumbai, with former cricket greats Brian Lara, Graeme Swann, Lee and Sunil Gavaskar among those staying with him in the same hotel.
“It is with great sadness that we share the news of the passing away of Mr. Dean Mervyn Jones AM. He died of a sudden cardiac arrest,” said Star Sports India in a statement.
“We express our deep condolences to his family and stand ready to support them in this difficult time. We are in touch with the Australian High Commission to make the necessary arrangements.”
Jones was one of Australia’s most popular cricketers and changed the way one-day cricket was played.
The proud Victorian was part of the Australian team that caused a stunning upset to win the 1987 World Cup against all odds, in a moment that lifted Australian cricket out of its darkest period.
Former captain Allan Border was distressed by the news of Jones’ passing.
“He revolutionised the game and I loved him,” Border said.
“When he scored his 200 in Madras he was so dehydrated but he kept going. At 170 I said ‘if you can’t keep going I’ll get a Queenslander on.’
“I can’t believe this news but I’d like to pay tribute to Brett Lee for everything he did.
“Deano was unbelievable at the Test level but his aggression at the one-day level will be remembered forever.
“He loved his family, cricket golf and wine. I loved batting with him and he backed me and for that I will always love him.”
His most famous innings was the stunning double century he made in Madras in the Tied Test in 1986 in excruciatingly hot conditions, when he defied extreme physical illness to stay out in the middle.
Justin Langer paid tribute to Jones.
“What a great player and a great bloke,” he said in a statement. “We are shocked and very sad to hear of his passing.
“Deano was a true legend of Australian sport and world cricket, one of the great players and personalities in a golden time for the game. His role in the team’s World Cup win in 1987 and the 1989 Ashes under AB were a huge turning point for Australian cricket.
“His double century in Madras was one of the greatest and most courageous innings of all time.
“We can only hope to make Australians as proud of our team as they were of Deano, he will be missed by the game and millions of people around the world. Our love to Jane and the girls.”
Simon O’Donnell, who played with Dean Jones from childhood and throughout his professional career, said he was “numb” after hearing the news of his teammate’s death.
Paying tribute to his late cricket legend, the 57-year-old sportsman said it was a “sad day” for the sport and recalled his first encounter with the cricket legend as a teenager.
“He was such a polarising cricketer and you could see that he loved that,” O’Donnell told SEN.
“The first time I ran into Dean Jones was a carnival in Melbourne in 1980 … Literally that day, we walked onto the ground and I thought ‘Who’s this clown?’
“That was Dean Jones from the first day I met him to the last day I played with him. That was Deano – his appetite to compete was insatiable.
“He just wanted more and more of it and the more he got, the better he got at cricket.”
O’Donnell said that the news of Jones’ tragic death at the age of 59 shocked him.
“We’re all in that category these days, we’re not young fellows anymore,” he said.
“He’s one of the greats of cricket in this country and particularly in Victoria, and he’s not with us at 59.”
Cricket Australia Chairman Earl Eddings paid tribute to the 52-Test batting icon, who scored 3631 runs at an average of 46.55.
“Dean Jones was a hero to a generation of cricketers and will forever be remembered as a legend of this great game,” said Eddings.
“Anyone who watched cricket in the 1980s and 1990s will fondly recall his cavalier approach at the crease and the incredible energy and passion he brought to every game he played.
“Although many remember him for his brilliance in the 50-over game, arguably Jones’ finest moment in the national team came in scorching conditions in Chennai in 1986, where his selfless and courageous innings of 210 helped Australia to a famous tie against India.
“Jones remained an immensely popular figure in Australian and Victorian cricket throughout his life.
“This is a truly sad day. Deano’s loss will be felt not just at home in Australia, but across the globe.”
Jones has been a household voice in television and radio commentary over the past decade and was a respected cricket coach in Pakistan.
He was raised in a tough school by father Barney, who was a legend of the Carlton Cricket Club in Melbourne.
Jones batted at No. 3 for Carlton at a very young age playing under former Test great Keith Stackpole.
He developed into a very exciting Sheffield Shield cricketer at a young age, and in one of his first games made a gritty 50 against Dennis Lillee in Perth.
The response from his captain Graham Yallop was to tell Jones it was the worst 50 he’d seen in first-class cricket. Tough school.
Jones was an often polarising influence, but universally respected as one of the game’s great talents.
He revolutionised one-day cricket with his running between the wickets and superb fielding and his willingness to take the bowling on – and was arguably for a period the best white-ball player in cricket.
Australian cricket had its worst ever period in the wake of the retirements of Greg Chappell, Lillee and Rod Marsh, and it was Jones, along with the likes of David Boon, Merv Hughes and Mark Taylor who helped breathe new life into the baggy green.
CRICKET AND SPORTING WORLD REACTS
I can not believe the news on Australian Cricketer Dean Jones. Only 59. Gone way too young. So sad. Wonderful talent. Condolences to all his family and friends. RIP Dean Jones.
— PhilGould15 (@PhilGould15) September 24, 2020
Shocking news... This year gets even worse. Was joking with Deano last week about carrying a red book with me to the match. Terrible... My heartfelt Condolences to the family. ðŸ™ðŸ½
— Anil Kumble (@anilkumble1074) September 24, 2020
Still in shock hearing the news of Deanos passing. Thoughts are with Jane and the family at this incredibly tough time. A great man with an amazing passion for the game.
— Aaron Finch (@AaronFinch5) September 24, 2020
Absolutely heartbreaking news about Dean Jones passing away.
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) September 24, 2020
A wonderful soul taken away too soon. Had the opportunity to play against him during my first tour of Australia.
May his soul rest in peace and my condolences to his loved ones. ðŸ™ðŸ¼ pic.twitter.com/u6oEY1h7zz
I can’t believe this news. So very sad to hear about this. Rip Deano, you will be missed. pic.twitter.com/Mc8h36gnWe
— David Warner (@davidwarner31) September 24, 2020
Shocked to hear about the tragic loss of Dean Jones. Praying for strength and courage to his family and friends. ðŸ™ðŸ»
— Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) September 24, 2020
Really shocking to lose a colleague and a dear friend - Dean Jones. Gone so young. Condolences to the family and may his soul rest in peace #RIPDeanJones 🙠- @cricketcomau pic.twitter.com/pckNBow5Sv
— Ravi Shastri (@RaviShastriOfc) September 24, 2020
Dean Jones was my hero throughout my entire teens. He was the soundtrack of my summer. The swagger, the quick singles, the swashbuckling heroics. Then the outrage as the tried to find a way back into the Test side. When Deano was batting, you didn’t dare miss a single ball... pic.twitter.com/QrkaR7QZx3
— Jon Ralph (@RalphyHeraldSun) September 24, 2020
Saddened to hear the news of Dean Jones passing away. Still cannot believe it. Was one of my favourite commentators, he was on air in many of my landmarks. Had really fond memories with him. Will miss him. pic.twitter.com/FZBTqIEGdx
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) September 24, 2020