'Immensely courageous': Dean Jones' gutsiest knock goes down in folklore
Dean Jones’ finest moment on a cricket field has been fondly remembered as the cricket world reacts to the Australian great’s death.
The Victorian-born batsman died on Thursday evening Australian time, after suffering a heart attack while in India ahead of commentary duties for the IPL.
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Jones was 59 years old.
As tributes have flowed for the fan favourite former player, many have cited his heroic innings against India in the overwhelming heat of Madras in 1986.
Not only was Jones, then 25, a relative newcomer the the Test team, he was already under pressure to hold his spot.
Scores of 48, 5, 1 and 11 in his first two Tests were hardly inspiring, and it seemed like Jones would have it all to do after skipper Allan Border promoted him to first drop.
Instead he rose to the occasion - his innings of 210 across two days, combining with both David Boon and Border, went down as one of the most gutsy innings by an Australian batsman ever.
Jones would later admit he could barely remember it, as he became so dehydrated by the end of it he had to be taken to hospital.
Current coach of the Australian team Justin Langer was one of many to cite the innings as inspirational upon reflecting on the impact Jones had on the game.
“We often think about Jones' flamboyance ... but like all the great players, very mentally and physically tough and those are things you admire in an Australian cricketer" Langer said.
Former Australia coach Bob Simpson said he had not “seen a braver innings”.
“He was running on adrenaline,” Simpson told Cricinfo.
“During breaks we would have one bloke waiting to take off his pads and another would strip him and put him in an ice bath just to try and revitalise him. It was immensely courageous.”
Tribute pour in for Dean Jones
He remains the state's second leading run-scorer in the Sheffield Shield.
Jones became a respected commentator and coach, fitting seamlessly into the media landscape while still having a strong influence on the sport.
Cricket Australia is looking into the best ways to commemorate Jones' life, chairman Earl Eddings confirmed.
"Dean Jones was a hero to a generation of cricketers and will forever be remembered as a legend of this great game," Eddings said.
Jones is survived by his wife Jane, their daughters Isabella and Phoebe, and a son from another relationship.
Tributes poured in for one of the most popular batsmen of his generation on Thursday night.
"Awful to hear the news of Dean Jones passing away in Mumbai," Steve Smith posted on social media.
"He was a wonderful player for Australia and he will be missed. My thoughts are with his family."
Damien Fleming added: "Stunned by the news of Dean Jones's passing. Always a Larger then life personality. Brilliant player. Condolences to Jane and family."
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