Australian cricket coach Justin Langer has led a chorus of tributes for cricket great Dean Jones, who has died in India aged 59.
Jones suffered a serious heart attack in his Mumbai hotel on Thursday, less than 24 hours after commentating on the Indian Premier League.
It's believed colleague Brett Lee performed CPR on Jones but he could not be revived.
His death has sent shock waves through world cricket.
Jones had touched so many across the sport, be it as a teammate, opponent, commentator or in a coaching role with Afghanistan and in the Pakistan Super League.
Dean Jones with then Prime Minister John Howard in 2007. Source: RES PUBLICA
Fronting the cameras just hours after Jones' death, Lee paid tribute to "an absolute legend."
"It's a real tough day for everyone, not only for his close mates, his close mates at home and the whole cricketing world in general," he said.
Langer described Jones as a "true legend" of the game.
"We can only hope to make Australians as proud of our team as they were of Deano, he will be missed by the game and millions of people around the world," Langer said on Thursday night.
"Our love to (his wife) Jane and the girls."
Prime Minister Scott Morrison sent his condolences to Jones’ family, paying his respects to “an absolute cricketing legend.”
Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, David Warner and Steve Smith were among others to post their tributes.
"Absolutely heartbreaking news about Dean Jones passing away," Tendulkar tweeted.
"May his soul rest in peace and my condolences to his loved ones."
Inducted into the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame in 2019, Jones was a favourite of so many of the sport's fans in the 1980s and early '90s.
Best known for his swashbuckling batting in one-day cricket, he brought an attacking approach to the game where he was happy to take bowlers on.
After making his Test match debut against the West Indies in 1982, he became a regular in 1986 when he produced what is still regarded as one of the grittiest performances by an Australian Test cricket.
His doubly century performance against India in the 42 degree heat and extreme humidity of Madras was the stuff of Test folklore, as was the ensuing hospital trip where he required a drip.
Australian batsman Dean Jones holds the stumps as he races to embrace team captain Allan Border, after Australia won the 1987 Cricket World Cup. Source: AP
"His 200 in Madras in 1986 was one of the greatest and most courageous innings of all time," Langer said on Thursday night.
His Test career ended abruptly in 1992 when he was dropped from the Australian side, while he played his last ODI in 1994 and stayed on with Victoria until 1998.
He remains the state's second leading run-scorer in the Sheffield Shield.
