Australia vs India: MCG pays tribute to Dean Jones

Dean Jones was paid a tribute at his home ground here by Indian and Australian players, his wife, daughters and the legendary Allan Border.

A general view of the MCG during a tribute to Dean Jones on Saturday. - GETTY IMAGES

Dean Jones was paid another tribute at his home ground here by Indian and Australian players, his wife, daughters and the legendary Allan Border.

Jones’ family and former Australia captain Border participated in the farewell during the tea break of the ongoing second Test here.

Border, Jones’ wife Jane, and daughters Augusta and Phoebe took a long walk from the boundary of the Melbourne Cricket Ground to the centre, carrying his baggy green, sunglasses and Kookaburra bat and laid the items to rest on the stumps at the Great Southern Stand end of the ground.

Later, 12th men from both sides – K. L. Rahul (India) and James Pattinson (Australia) - collected the items and rested them on a seat by the boundary. The gesture was applauded by the 30,000 spectators present at the MCG.

Jones died in September this year at the age of 59 in Mumbai, where he was commentating for the Indian Premier League, after suffering a stroke.

Former Australian cricketer Brett Lee was with Jones during his final hours. He tried to revive him, but could not.

“It’s quite fitting the tribute was done during Australia vs India. He’s loved over there,” Lee told Fox Sports .

Earlier after winning the toss, Australia skipper Tim Paine led from the front with a number of players entering the MCG wearing zinc on their bottom lips, a look that Jones was famous for.