'Adore you': Dean Jones' former mistress posts 'heartbroken' tribute
The mother of Dean Jones’ young son says she’s “heartbroken” after the death of the Australian cricket legend, taking to social media to pay tribute.
Jones died at 59 last week after suffering a heart attack while in Mumbai covering the Indian Premier League as a commentator.
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As tributes continue to pour in for the much-loved batting great, Jones’ former lover Kerri-Anne Hamilton has spoken out.
“After 22 years the sparklers have gone out,” she wrote on Instagram alongside three photos of her and Jones.
“Every time I saw him I had fire in my belly! His love for me, my love for him will never die. I adore you! I am heartbroken!”
A post shared by Kerri-Anne Hamilton (@kezzkoby) on
Jones and Hamilton carried on a secret affair for nine years while he was married, the pair having son Koby (now 11) together.
The cricket legend confirmed the affair in 2010 and spoke publicly about the scandal.
Hamilton spoke out on Sunday to reveal Koby’s shock at learning of his father’s death.
“If you know my son you’ve probably heard him say, ‘Do you know my dad is Dean Jones?’” Hamilton wrote on social media.
“Proud is an understatement! He adores him and will no doubt live his life with a bat and ball in his hand.”
A post shared by Kerri-Anne Hamilton (@kezzkoby) on
Speaking to the Sydney Morning Herald, Hamilton said Koby “deserves recognition too.”
“It’s OK, mum,” Koby reportedly told his mum. “I know my dad loved me.”
“It’s an awful time for his wife and his other kids,” Hamilton said.
“I’m not trying to step out of line. I want to speak to you for Koby.
“I don’t want Koby to go to school and for kids to say, ‘We didn’t see you, how do we know you were his son?’ He deserves acknowledgment.”
Jones had reportedly FaceTimed with Koby in the days leading up to his death, giving him a tour of the Star Sports studios in India and letting him chat with Brett Lee.
“Koby would always wait with such anticipation for Dean to call,” Hamilton said.
“He looked up to him and he would have questions written down to ask him because he was so knowledgeable. They’d talk stats for ages and he’d mentor him in his sport; how to swing (the bat), how to think.”
Dean Jones’ wife and daughters devastated
Jones’ wife Jane and their daughters Phoebe and Isabella have also expressed their shock and heartbreak.
“My girls and I are devastated and saddened beyond belief to hear of Dean’s death in India,” Jane said.
“My beautiful husband, the love of my life has lived his life with every bit of energy at his disposal, and he leaves an enormous gap in our lives which can never be filled.
“He leaves us with so many wonderful memories that will last forever.
“At this challenging time, when our grief is so raw, we have drawn much consolation from the many messages of goodwill and support from so many people around the world.
“Given Dean’s special love for the subcontinent, it was especially touching to hear so broadly from India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Afghanistan.
“We are overwhelmed by the scale of the response to the news of his death and we will forever be grateful for that.”
Jones’ wife and daughters also thanked fellow Aussie great and commentator Lee, who performed CPR on Jones before he was transferred to hospital.
“We are broken,” Phoebe wrote on Instagram.
“Our family is eternally grateful to @brettlee_58 for doing everything he could.
“We are overwhelmed with your outpouring of kind words, support and tributes. His legacy will live on in every life he touched.
“I just keep staring at my phone waiting for him to call and tell me this is just a bad dream.”
A post shared by P H O E B E J O N E S (@phoebejones.xo) on
Iseballa wrote: “My heart is broken. My Dad. My Hero. The sweetest and most caring person you could ever meet.
“If only you could see now how many lives you touched. If only you could see now how loved you were.
“You held my hand through the toughest times this year, how will I do this without you?
“The heavens have opened their gates for another angel. Wait for me dad. Everything I do is for you. I love you dad.”
Love of my life. My hero. My best friend. Dad. Rest in Peace 🌹
A post shared by A u g u s t a (@augustajones) on
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