Had he batted today, legendary Sachin Tendulkar is in no doubt, former Australia batsman Dean Jones would've been an absolute superstar, a crowd favourite and a much sought after player in T20 leagues such as the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Jones, a renowned commentator post retirement, died of a sudden cardiac arrest in a hotel in Mumbai on Thursday (September 24). He was here in India due to his commitments with host broadcaster Star Sports to cover the IPL 2020.
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The 59-year-old played 52 Tests and 164 ODIs from 1984-1994 for his country, averaging 46.55 and 44.61 in the two formats respectively. Jones is especially remembered for his attacking, fearless style of batsmanship as well as his game-awareness, with some of his tactics to get the wood over the opposition being well ahead of the times.
In a heartfelt tribute, Tendulkar recalled Jones the cricketer, someone he would be glued to television over as a kid and later played against on the 1991-92 trip to Australia.
"He would have been hundred percent one of the most popular T20 players without any doubt,” Tendulkar told PTI. "Had there been an auction, Deano would have been a player much in-demand. He was an innovative stroke player, a fantastic runner between the wickets and a brilliant fielder, everything that you require for T20s."
Jones, in an effort to put bowlers off their mark, would charge down the wicket and attack them straight, which in those years raised eyebrows. He was a brilliant runner between the wickets and pushed the opposition fielders hard to sneak through for the second when others would be happy with just the single.
"Since he was such a good ODI player, he would have adapted to the ever changing rules of T20 better. Cricket formats are dynamic and I believe he had that quality to evolve as per demands and would have made a terrific T20 player," said Tendulkar.
“Whatever cricket he played in the 80’s and early 90’s, he was ahead of his time. He would charge the fast bowlers and that was back in 80’s."
“We talk about innovations but remember some shots that are being played today, the earlier generations have also played, well before even we started and Deano was one of them," he added.
In Test cricket, while Jones also made one other double ton against the mighty West Indies, it was the one scored in that famous Madras 1986 tied encounter which he kept close to his heart for the sheer physical and mental drain he went through.
Tendulkar remembers that Test vividly and how as a trainee under Ramakant Achrekar at Shivaji Park Gymkhana, Jones instantly got he and other kids interested in him.
“I remember I was 13 when tied Test happened and he scored that double hundred."
"When I went to Australia for the first time in 91-92, they were a great team. There was David Boon, Geoff Marsh, Steve Waugh, Bruce Reid and Craig McDer mott but for us in the Indian team, there were two players we spoke about most– AB (skipper Allan Border) and Deano (Dean Jones)."
"Literally No 1 and 2 key players for us and then there was McDermott."
Tendulkar was in awe of the man's attitude towards batting against the quickest of fast bowlers without at times wearing a helmet.
"I enjoyed watching him bat and at times without the helmet. What stood out was not just his contributions for Australia but that he was an entertainer-par-excellence."
“You can’t deny that your eyeballs glued to the TV when Deano batted and you didn’t want to miss that chance.”
The only times he didn't enjoy seeing 'Deano' score runs were those when they came against India. Tendulkar was on the field when Jones played an impactful knock of 90 runs in that closely fought 1992 World Cup encounter, the loss in which hurt India's semi-final hopes very badly.
“You never enjoyed when he scored against India and Brisbane game was one such game (Jones scored 90). And then, we were docked three overs and the run reduced from Australia’s total was one. Such a rule made it difficult for us," he said.
Tendulkar, like all of us, finds Jones' sudden passing a difficult reality to accept.
"It’s a better pill to swallow. Whatever you say, it is a massive tragedy. My heart goes out to his friends and family. Just think of it, he was only 59 years old. He may have had so much to contribute. I pray for his departed soul."
