Australian cricketing legend and commentator Dean Jones passed away due to a cardiac arrest in Mumbai on Thursday. He was rushed to Sir H. N. Reliance Foundation Hospital and Research Centre at Charni Road, where he was pronounced dead on admission.
The IPL management, Cricket Australia and Star India confirmed the death of the cricketer-turned-commentator.
Jones played 52 Tests and 164 One-Day Internationals and won accolades for his dashing shots and superb fielding.
He was one of the finest commentators and was often called Prof Deano lovingly. He was 59.
He is survived by wife Jane and daughters Isabella and Phoebe.
Jones, a Victorian who had played Tests and ODIs in 80s and 90s, was part of the Indian Premier League (IPL) broadcast team and was staying at the Trident Hotel in south Mumbai.
The expert commentator had been in Mumbai for nearly a fortnight and was to leave home after the IPL season.
“We are extremely shocked and sad to learn of the untimely demise of Dean Jones. His energy and enthusiasm for the game will be truly missed. Our thoughts with his family, friends and his followers in this hour of grief,” IPL organisers said in a statement.
The Star India, with whom he was associated for the broadcast of the professional Twenty20 cricket league in India – that is now being played in United Arab Emirates – said that Jones died of a sudden cardiac arrest.
“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,” Star India said in a statement.
Jones went on to become a highly-regarded coach and commentator. He was made a Member of the Order of Australia in 2006 for his services to cricket and charity and was inducted into the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame in 2019.