Australian News Today

‘Icon’: Aussie pioneer gets ultimate honour

‘Icon’: Aussie pioneer gets ultimate honour

Australia’s domestic one-day competition will be renamed the Dean Jones Trophy after a fan vote of more than 10,000 people.

Cricket Australia confirmed Jones, a master of the limited form of the game, will be honoured by having the trophy renamed in his honour.

It’s understood the committee had three names in mind for the trophy, with Michael Bevan and Andrew Symonds the other former players considered.

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He scored more than 6000 ODI runs in 164 games and was a master in the field and between the wickets, with the Cricket Australia praising Jones as “a pioneer in the limited-overs format that paved the way for future generations”.

Jones playing an ODI for Australia in 1990. Getty

Jones passed away in 2020, aged 59.

“Dean Jones is an icon of the game and pioneer in one day cricket, who entertained fans around the world wherever he played,” chief executive Nick Hockley said.

“He was a World Cup winner, an innovator and possessed one of the best records in 50-over cricket for the era that he played. We are delighted to acknowledge his legacy in perpetuity by naming our premier one-day domestic competition in his honour.

“I’d like to thank the thousands of fans who voted on our digital platforms and to the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame Committee for ensuring a fair process in selecting Dean from an incredible list of legends of the limited-overs game.”

Australian players stand in silence in honour of Dean Jones. Cricket Australia via Getty Imag

Michael Bevan’s incredible record and contribution to the limited-overs format was also recognised, with the player of the final to be named the Michael Bevan Medal.

The Dean Jones Trophy and Michael Bevan Medal will be presented for the first time at the Final on March 1.