Remembering Dean Jones: The knocks that made him a star

NEW DELHI: The news of former Australian cricketer Dean Jones passing away in Mumbai on Thursday after suffering a cardiac arrest has left the world stunned. Jones was 59 and was part of the Star Sports commentary panel for the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) being held in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

A gritty, attacking player, Jones, who was fondly called Deano by everyone who knew him featured in 52 Tests, making 3631 runs at an average of 46.55 with 11 hundreds and 14 fifties. In 164 ODIs, he made 6068 runs, at 44.61, with seven hundreds and 46 fifties. He was part of the

1987 World Cup

winning Australian team.


These are some of the best knocks Jones played in his career that made him an inspiration for countless budding cricketers:

210 against India in 1986 Madras tied Test

Dean Jones played his most memorable Test knock in only his 3rd Test. It was against India in September 1986. He scored his maiden Test hundred in the first innings of the first Test in Chennai, then called Madras. He suffered from dehydration and even vomited on the ground due to the hot and humid conditions. But a pep talk from his captain Allan Border and his own gritty nature propelled him to continue and he went on to score 210, which remains the highest score by an

Australian cricketer

in India. The match is also remembered for its result since it ended in a tie.


ODI centuries on consecutive days

After making his debut in 1984 in one-day internationals, it took Jones three years to score his maiden century in the ODIs. But he ended his drought by scoring centuries on consecutive days, with 104 against England on January 1, 1987 and then 121 against Pakistan the very next day. But Australia ended up on the losing side in both the matches that were held in Perth.

101 against England in Benson & Hedges World Series Cup in 1987

Jones' first two ODI centuries on consecutive days might have gone in vain but his third ODI hundred guided Australia to victory against England in the Benson & Hedges World Series Cup match in January 1987. Jones made a run-a-ball 101 and put on 178-run stand with Geoff Marsh for the second wicket to take Australia to 261/4. Australia won the match by 11 runs.

184 not out against England in 1987 Sydney Test

Jones waged a virtual lone battle against England in the 5th Test against England in Sydney. Jones held up one end, while Australia kept losing wickets at regular intervals at the other. But it did not deter Jones at all as he emerged as the lone warrior and scored an unbeaten 184 to help Australia register a 55-run victory.

145 against England in Benson & Hedges World Series in 1990

Jones, who made his presence felt in the ODIs and was tagged as an attacking batsman and a fast runner between the wickets, played an emphatic knock in the Benson & Hedges World Series match against England in December 1990. He smashed his way to 145 off just 136 balls - his highest ODI score - to take Australia to 283/5. This knock eventually turned out to be the last century of his ODI career. Australia recorded a 37-run victory over England.