FOR many of us who grew up in the ‘80s, Dean Jones epitomised what Australian cricket was all about.
He was brash, aggressive and entertaining. He wore zinc cream on the bottom lip, often batted in his floppy hat and was the star of the one-day game at the height of its popularity. Oh, and he was Victorian.
In backyards everywhere, kids, like my brother and I, would imitate Jones and all his mannerisms. Deano, Merv, Border and Boony were the superstars of our summers.
Dean Jones died on Thursday after suffering a heart attack, aged 59. Never lost to the game, he was on a commentating stint in India and collapsed after exercising in the hotel, where broadcasters were in a “bubble” due to COVID-19 restrictions.
News of his death has rocked the cricket world.
But it’s also served as a reminder to the legacy he leaves behind.
In a global sport such as cricket, to be remembered as a man who revolutionised the game is no small thing.
And Deano did that, particularly in the 50-over format.
That we knew him only as Deano is testament to the brand he became. It was the name we chanted at the MCG countless times, along with “We love you because you’re a Victorian”.
Back in the ’80s, batting teams didn’t take on the one-day game from ball one. They approached it more like a mini-Test. But Deano was our Viv
Richards, full of swagger and aggression. He made running between wickets a thrilling aspect of the game, stealing extra runs and often diving for the crease like a New York Yankee.
He had courage, once famously provoking West Indian fast bowler Curtly Ambrose to remove his sweatbands, and at Test level, is best remembered for making 210 in the tied Test in India in 1986 in such stifling heat that he ended up hospital suffering acute dehydration and on a drip.
Deano averaged 46.55 in Tests, which was an incredible record in an era where the West Indies were dominant, and Australia wasn’t.
At one-day level, he made 6068 runs at an average of 44.61.
Deano may have been regarded as a divisive figure in his playing days, but the outpouring of tributes following news of his death speaks to how respected and admired around the world.
He was an insightful and entertaining coach and commentator who was in demand in countries like India, where he was covering the Indian Premier League at the time of his death.
He died tragically young, but universally admired in the sport that he loved. What a way to go out.
Keeping up with Jones
BY THE NUMBERS
52 Test matches for Australia. 3631 runs at 46.55
164 ODIs. 6068 at an average of 44.61
245 first-class matches. 19,188 runs at 51.85
TIMELINE
● Made debut for Victoria in 1981-82 season.
● Scored 19,188 runs in first-class matches, including 55 centuries and 88 half-centuries at an average of 51.85. He is Victoria’s second-highest run scorer.
● Made Test debut in the West Indies in 1984.
● Most memorable innings came in the tied Test at Madras on the 1986-87 tour. Hit 210 runs in an innings that lasted 8hr, 22min. Was later hospitalised with dehydration and heat exhaustion.
● In 1987 was part of the Australian team to win the country’s first World Cup – scoring 314 runs at an average of 44 in India.
● Played 164 ODIs, scoring 6068 at an average of 44.61.
● Named one of Wisden Cricket’s Cricketer of the Year in 1990.
● Highest score of 324 not out against South Australia in February 1995.
