There was a fitting tribute to Australian cricket great Dean Jones, who died suddenly in September, as fans returned to the MCG for the Boxing Day Test.
Australian cricket fans have paid tribute to Dean Jones at his favourite ground as Cricket Victoria confirmed it will posthumously reinstate the illustrious batsman’s life membership award with support from his family.
Jones, who was 59, died from a stroke in September while fulfilling Indian Premier League commentary duties in Mumbai.
Months before his death, the former Victorian captain handed back his CV life membership and demanded his name be removed from the state’s annual award for the best men’s one-day player.
Jones cited a “lack of culture and vision and strategy” from the CV administration, which he said “hurt” him, as his reason for the move.
On Saturday, during the opening session of the Boxing Day Test, CV announced Jones’ family had given their backing to reinstate his life membership and return his name to the one-day player award.
“Dean was one of Victoria’s greatest players and we want his cricket legacy to live on here for many decades to come,” CV chair Dr David Maddocks said.
“Dean was fundamentally passionate about Victorian cricket and wanted to see us succeed on every level and have as many Victorians playing for Australia as possible.
“We share that aspiration.
“We look forward to awarding the medal again in 2021 and in doing so paying tribute to one of our most gifted and popular players who truly invested himself as a Victorian player and supporter.”
Jones was given a private farewell lap of the MCG in October while Melbourne was in lockdown.
On day one of the Boxing Day Test, fans in his hometown relished the chance to celebrate Jones’ contribution to cricket, taking part in a fitting tribute to the cult hero as they returned to the MCG for the first time in more than nine months.
Australian players gave a nod to Jones by wearing zinc on their bottom lips – one of his trademark looks – during the pre-match national anthem as part of a “zinc up for Deano” campaign.
A Jones highlights package and video tribute was played at 3.24pm, reflecting the facts Jones was Australia’s 324th Test cricketer and his highest first-class score was 324.
“We’re really honoured to be able to do it today and I’ve seen a few people wearing the zinc,” Melbourne Cricket Club chief executive Stuart Fox said.
“He made such a contribution to cricket in Australia and Victoria and the MCC.
“It’s a pretty amazing moment and probably an emotional moment for a lot of people.”
Dwanye
Roar Rookie
Snowy Baker.
Micko
Roar Rookie
Out of curiosity, who’s the bloke in the photo?
Dwanye
Roar Rookie
And some.
Ja ja klazo
Guest
Totally agree. The truth is, Victorian cricket is a complete embarrassment. The state has produced nothing for years in cricketing terms. Whatever is going on in the establishment there needs to take a very very long look at itself. As the second most populous state in the country, the state should be producing a world class cricket every generation and probably more. Instead, NSW has 6 in the current crop that are better than anything (aside from Warne) that Vic has produced in the last 40 odd years. Its got so bad, channel 7 are rolling out AFL players for coverage, just so the Vic's have a local on the tele.
andyfnq
Roar Rookie
Thanks for the likes, to save people looking here are the two clips I mentioned: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wpQgRSWay4Y https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tyCum-ZgINo Enjoy them please :happy: :cricket:
Micko
Roar Rookie
WA "the size of the UK" you say?!!!! :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :silly: :silly: :silly: :silly:
Joshua Kerr
Roar Guru
I always find it such a shame when I find out more about a person after their death - a fitting tribute to a great cricketer Andy.
Joshua Kerr
Roar Guru
Then again, unless I am mistaken, WA is the size of the UK!
Micko
Roar Rookie
What a tiny place! I did a comparison, and your home county is like nearly a quarter of the size of my hometown! :shocked: :silly:
Micko
Roar Rookie
Well said andy! :thumbup:
andyfnq
Roar Rookie
An incredible cricketer who was ahead of his time. His aggressive shot selection and ultra sharp running between the wickets helped revolutionise the game. In fact if you want cricket comedy gold, watch him bat with David Boon – not sure Boony was a fan of Deano’s hard running style, it made him look like a squat little Tassie wombat with a killer mo :laughing: It is easy to forget that when he was playing, sides were happy with a 50 over score of 200-220. He was a pretty good test player too, and was overlooked on personality rather than form – a luxury Australia had at that time which we unfortunately lost some time ago. 145 vs England at the GABBA had one of my favourite pieces of commentary ever, where his glorious straight drive six prompted a delighted Richie Benaud to exclaim to Geoffrey Boycott, “Oh, just reach out and catch it Geoffrey!” Australian selectors were quick to drop him and slow to give him another go, but he remained a favourite not just in Victoria but accross Australia. They loved his aggression and his entertainment value. They watched with awe his devil-may-care facing of fearsome fast bowlers half a metre out of the crease wearing a cap, and marveled at his skill and endurance in Madras. I would have loved to see him suit up for Australia A; the next best thing was to see him take on Australia in a tribute match as part of a World XI and let his bat do the talking with a magnificent century. Truely one of the greats and one of a kind.
Joshua Kerr
Roar Guru
Saying that, there's snow in the forecast for tomorrow, would cheer a few people up due to the national obsession with it :laughing:
Joshua Kerr
Roar Guru
Yeah, can't say it's fun, would happily return to the lazy summer days watching England's home Tests in a flash. We actually haven't had snow where I live in Worcestershire since March 2018. Some pretty mild Februarys in recent years too. 20C and thereabouts.
Once Upon a Time on the Roar
Roar Guru
I hate the European winter - saw two of them 20 odd years ago. Always wanted to see snow since i was a little boy and finally got to when I was in my 20s ... the novelty wore off pretty quick but.
Joshua Kerr
Roar Guru
Oh yes, very cold (but beautiful clear skies) on Christmas Day. A storm moved through last night as well, a harmless one as they tend to be in our neck of the woods.
Once Upon a Time on the Roar
Roar Guru
No worries. Must be cold there right now hey?
Once Upon a Time on the Roar
Roar Guru
Well I'm with both of you Young Joshua.
Joshua Kerr
Roar Guru
Not too bad Bernie thanks for asking.
Joshua Kerr
Roar Guru
I'm with Paul on this one, it's a nice touch but it doesn't seem 100% right. Unfortunately, I know from experience how important it is to make sure that it is the deceased whose wishes are fulfilled rather than those of some family members. A difficult decision for sure for the Jones family.
Once Upon a Time on the Roar
Roar Guru
How are things anyway Josh?