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Dean Jones, the former Australia opener and commentator, passed away on Thursday, September 24, after a sudden cardiac arrest in Mumbai. The cricketing community took to Twitter to pay their tributes.
Jones played 59 Tests and 164 ODIs for Australia from 1984 to 1994, and was a first-class cricketer till the 1997/98 season, before he retired as Victoria’s leading run-scorer.
Cricketers past and present poured their tributes to Jones, who was part of Australia’s 1987 World Cup winning team, as well as part of Ashes triumphs in 1989 and 1990/91.
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Absolutely heartbreaking news about Dean Jones passing away.
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. 🙏🏼 pic.twitter.com/u6oEY1h7zz— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) September 24, 2020
https://twitter.com/KP24/status/1309090607130914819
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. 🙏🏻
— Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) September 24, 2020
Really sad news on the demise of @ProfDeano ,our thoughts & prayers are with his wife,children & family. 💔 #RIPDeanJones
— Sarfaraz Ahmed (@SarfarazA_54) September 24, 2020
Awful to hear the news of Dean Jones passing away in Mumbai. He was a wonderful player for Australia and he will be missed. My thoughts are with his family. RIP Deano https://t.co/AmVhQiNEe2
— Steve Smith (@stevesmith49) 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. 🙏🏽
— Anil Kumble (@anilkumble1074) September 24, 2020
Very sad to hear of the passing of Dean Jones. He was always a fantastic bloke to have a yarn with around a cricket field. I remember in Canada one of his stories was so funny I actually forgot to warm up to bowl pre-game. RIP.
— Jimmy Neesham (@JimmyNeesh) September 24, 2020
Speechless. Devastated. RIP great man 🙏🏻 https://t.co/mt5RQf2luW
— Michael Clarke (@MClarke23) September 24, 2020
Absolutely Shocked and deeply sad to hear about the sudden demise of @ProfDeano. My condolences to his friends and family. You will be missed #RIP 😢😢
— Rashid Khan (@rashidkhan_19) September 24, 2020
Horrible news to wake up to…
You were more than a player I had played against, you were my friend, my brother. Will deeply miss your smile & your presence where ever cricket is played around the world.
Rest In Peace Deano man. The world needed more from you! Always in my ❤️ pic.twitter.com/N9gwAoUgSc
— Sir Vivian Richards (@ivivianrichards) September 24, 2020
A jovial presence in commentary boxes the world over, Jones, at the time of his passing, was in Mumbai, for commentary duties with Star Sports for IPL 2020. His fellow commentators extended their condolences.
No, Deano. No. I am speechless. And in shock. And refusing to accept.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) September 24, 2020
Oh no! So shocking and sad. Condolences to family and friends. #RIPDeanJones
— Mpumelelo Mbangwa (@mmbangwa) September 24, 2020
Stunned by the news of Dean Jones’s passing
Always a Larger then life personality
Brilliant player
Condolences to Jane and family #RIPDeano— Damien Fleming (@bowlologist) September 24, 2020
In complete shock to hear about Dean Jones sad passing. One of a kind you were Deano and how lonely and helpless you must have felt on your own in that hotel room-a death we commentators fear the most, and likely to meet, helpless and gone in that hotel room…RIP my friend.
— Ramiz Raja (@iramizraja) September 24, 2020
Stats are great but they don’t say how he, like not a lot of others, changed the way the game was played.The speed btw wickets, the ability to manipulate the field the energy in the field and the development of so many other players. What a contribution to the game. #RIPDeano https://t.co/Th1hA54MtF
— Mel Jones (@meljones_33) September 24, 2020