Team India kick off their Australia tour with the first ODI in Sydney on Friday, November 27. It will be a special occasion for both teams as they will pay tribute to a couple of former Australian cricketers. First, they will pay a 63-second homage to Phil Hughes who marks his sixth death anniversary precisely tomorrow. Next, they will pay tribute to former Australian batsman Dean Jones who passed away on September 24 earlier this year. Players from both teams will be wearing black armbands as a mark of respect for the great man.
Dean Jones was a part of the IPL commentary team and was in Mumbai when he passed away untimely. He died off a sudden cardiac arrest in a five-star hotel in Mumbai. Jones was one of the great cricketers for Australia in the 80’s and was known across the cricketing world as a reputed commentator as well.
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Dean Jones To Be Felicitated in First ODI in Sydney
A legend of his era, Dean Jones represented Australia in 52 Test matches scoring 3631 runs at an average of 46.55. With a 216 as his best score, Jones scored 11 centuries and was an important member of Allan Border’s team. Jones also played 164 ODIs and scored 6068 runs with the help of seven centuries and 46 fifties.
Meanwhile, a report in the Sydney Morning Herald said that players from both teams will be wearing black armbands as a mark of respect for Jones.
“The first celebration will come at Friday’s opening one-day international against India at the SCG when there will be a minute’s silence before play and both nations will don black armbands. There will also be a highlights package of his grand career on the big screen,” said a report in Sydney Morning Herald.
Dean Jones will be felicitated with another tribute in the third Test match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground which starts from December 26. Jones family will be in attendance where everyone will tribute to the legendary cricketer.
“The biggest honour, however, will be saved for the showcase event that is the Boxing Day Test at the MCG. The tribute will be held at the tea break at 3.24pm on day one, where Jones’ wife Jane and family will be in attendance,” the report further said.
India will play three ODIs, as many T20Is and a much-anticipated four-Test series beginning with a Day-Night game at Adelaide on December 17. The ODI series begins from Friday at the SCG.
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