Australian cricket legend, Dean Jones has died of a heart attack in India, aged 59.
Jones was in India working as a commentary host for the Indian Premier League when he reportedly suffered a sudden heart attack.
ESPNCricInfo has reported that Jones collapsed in his Mumbai hotel, where he was staying along with fellow former cricketer, Brett Lee.
Lee is believed to have been on the scene and performed CPR on his longtime friend.
Star Sports India announced the cricketer’s death this evening.
“It is with great sadness that we share the news of the passing away of Mr Dean Mervyn Jones,” it said in a statement.
“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.
“Dean Jones was one of the great ambassadors of the game associating himself with Cricket development across South Asia.
“He was passionate about discovering new talent and nurturing young Cricketers. He was a champion commentator whose presence and presentation of the game always brought joy to millions of fans. He will be sorely missed by everyone at Star and his millions of fans across the globe.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.”
Jones played 52 tests and 164 one day internationals for Australia during a cricketing career that spanned eight years from 1984 to 1992.
The Victorian cricketer was famous for his attacking battle style in one day cricket.
He played 245 first-class matches, racking up a total 19,188 runs at an average of 51.85 with 55 centuries and 88 half centuries.
Between 2016 and 2019, Jones coached Pakistan Super league teams Islamabad United and Karachi Kings and served as head coach for Afghanistan’s national team in 2017.
In 2019 he was inducted into the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame.
Jones was also made a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for his charity work in 2006.
