The Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) is saddened to learn of the sudden passing of Australian cricket great, Dean Jones AM.
An Australian Cricket Hall of Fame inductee, Jones was a much-loved Test and One-Day cricketer, best known for revolutionising ODI cricket through his entertaining and fierce batting and dynamic running between the wickets.Playing 52 tests for Australia, including six at the MCG, Jones made 11 centuries with an average of 46.55 since making his debut in 1984 as a 22-year-old. A highlight of his Test career was an incredible 210 runs in stifling heat in the 1986 drawn Test against India in Madras.
Dean Jones batting for Australia during the Australian Bicentennial match between Australia and England at the MCG, 4th February 1988. (Photo by Patrick Eagar/Popperfoto via Getty Images/Getty Images)
Playing 164 ODIs, Jones amassed 6,068 runs at an average of 44.61, including seven centuries, and was ranked number one ODI batsman in the world four years in a row between 1989 and 1992. He was also an instrumental member of Australia’s inaugural World Cup winning team in 1987, making 314 runs throughout the tournament at an average of 44.85.
During his ODI career, Jones played 35 matches at the MCG, making a total of 1,287 runs, including twelve 50s and is the third highest Australian ODI run scorer at the MCG.
A proud Victorian, Jones also played numerous Sheffield Shield matches for Victoria at the MCG, during which he recorded his highest first-class score of 324 against South Australia.
Melbourne Cricket Club CEO Stuart Fox said Dean Jones would forever be etched into the folklore of the MCG.
“Dean came to life on the MCG stage – whether it was in a Test, ODI or in the Sheffield Shield – you could always ensure entertainment when Dean got bat in hand at the MCG,” Mr Fox said.
“A proud and passionate Victorian, Dean always lit-up the pitch whenever he played here and was a fan-favourite amongst the crowd.
“He will be greatly missed – not only for his on-field achievements, but his legacy of dedication and passion for cricket following his playing career – and will live on at the MCG in the Dean Jones Bar, which was named in his honour.”
Australian Cricket Hall of Fame Chairman, current MCC Committee member and a former Melbourne Cricket Club captain and teammate of Jones, Peter King, said he was a deserving inductee to the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame and will be missed by his peers and fans alike.
“At whatever level of the game of cricket he played, Deano was a true and authentic participant,” Mr King said.
“From a personal perspective, I played with him in the Victorian side in his early days through to our time playing for the Melbourne Cricket Club and you definitely stood taller when Dean was in your team.
“Whenever he took the field, he was a fierce competitor and he thrived in the contest – he loved the game, the camaraderie, the way he could contribute and the impact he could have.
“You always knew what you were going to get from him and he never disappointed. His energy and passion were forever evident in everything he did.
“He was a deserving inductee into the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame and his feats won’t easily be forgotten. Our sincere condolences go out to Jane, daughters Isabella and Phoebe and his family,” he said.
Jones was inducted into the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame, which is located in the Australian Sports Museum at the MCG, alongside Cathryn Fitzpatrick and Billy Murdoch in 2019.
In 1994 and in front of 30,000 adoring fans, the MCG also played host to Jones’ tribute match. Sporting legends such as Merv Hughes, Greg Ritchie, Dennis Lillee, Rod Marsh, Gary Ablett Senior, Jason Dunstall, Dermott Brereton and Jeff Fenech took to the Ground as a Jones XI played an Allan Border XI.
Jones has a permanent presence at the MCG, with the Dean Jones Bar in the Ponsford Stand officially opened in February 2010 in recognition of Jones’ contribution to cricket in Australia.
Our thoughts and sympathies are with Jones’ family and friends during this difficult time.
Vale Dean Jones.
