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Devastating scenes as Dean Jones farewelled at MCG

Australian Associated Press
·2-min read
Family and other mourners are pictured at the funeral for Australian cricketers Dean Jones.
Family and mourners at a private memorial for former Australian cricket great Dean Jones, at the MCG, Melbourne, Wednesday, October 7, 2020. (AAP Image/Supplied, MCG, Michelle Couling)

Dean Jones has been quietly farewelled by family at the MCG, the ground where the Australian cricket great enjoyed some of his finest moments.

The Australian batting hero died in Mumbai, India, on September 24, aged 59.

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With Melbourne still under severe COVID-19 restrictions, the service for Jones under the famous stadium's bright lights was limited to 10 people.

Jones' wife Jane said her daughters daughters Phoebe and Isabella would miss his "zest for life".

"We have been deeply moved by the outpouring of love for Dean over the last week and can't thank everyone enough for their support and for sharing their memories with us," Jane said.

"It has been an awful time to navigate as a family, but I could not have thought of a more fitting place to say goodbye to my husband.

"What better way to honour him than with the music of his friends Elton John and INXS echoing throughout the empty stadium.

Family and friends are pictured at a service for Dean Jones at the MCG.
Dean Jones was farewelled by family and close friends at the MCG on Wednesday, following his death in India in September. (AAP Image/Supplied, MCG, Michelle Couling)

"We'd like to extend a huge thank you to the Melbourne Cricket Club and the MCG for their willingness to create our personal tribute to Dean and for Cricket Australia's support.

"We would also like to extend a big thank you to the Department of Foreign Affairs for ensuring Dean was returned home to us as quickly as possible."

Cricket hero Dean Jones farewelled at MCG

An Australian flag and a floral 324 arrangement - showcasing Jones' Australian Test cap number - adorned his coffin as a hearse took him on one last lap of the MCG.

Jones died of a heart attack while overseas to commentate on the Indian Premier League.

He played 52 Tests and 164 ODIs for Australia and is regarded as one of the country's greatest white-ball players.

A favourite of so many of the sport's fans in the 1980s and early 1990s, Jones was inducted into the Australian cricket Hall of Fame in 2019.

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