Deano’s biggest regret

Jones sadly never got the chance to heal his rift with Cricket Victoria

DEAN Jones would have have loved the celebration of of all all things Deano.

Cricket legends and fans across the globe mourned his sudden, shocking death.

Elton John complained“life is unfair”. Sachin Tendulkar was effusive in his praise and generous in his words.

Wasim Akram thanked him on behalf of Pakistan for his contribution to that country’s cricket. Jason Gillespie now has the batsman’s image as his Twitter avatar.

There was, however, another layer of sadness beyond the tragedy of his death in an Indian hotel at age 59.

In the end Jones’ relationship with his state, Cricket Victoria, had broken down completely. He had fallen out with former teammates and the administration.

Some personal relationships healed, some never got a chance and were the source of his greatest regret, but things came to a head with Victorian cricket this year.

Hurt by repeated reject ions, he sent back his life membership in January and asked his name be taken off the state’s one-day player award.

Jones, who was fascinated by the T20 game and had coached it with success in Pakistan and Afghanistan, was frustrated at the way he’ d been treated when he went for the head coaching job at the Melbourne Stars but worse was to come.

Jones complained he “wasn’t even good enough to even get an interview” for the same position at the Melbourne Renegades.

Nonetheless Jones reached out and helped a lot of players, including Chris Rogers, who sought help in dealing with England offspinner Graeme Sw ann and later reached out to Australian captain Tim Paine.

Paine who told The Australian he was impressed by Jones’ honesty, ideas and enthusiasm. The captain believed Jones was a valuable resource going to waste.

The pair spoke regularly after Jones approached Paine on his appointment to the captaincy.

Paine told the champion that even if Victoria’s doors were closed, he was more than welcome in the Australian dressing room. Paine, cheekily, invited Jones to join the Tasmanian team inner circle in its Shield clash with Victoria at the Junction Oval this year but the round was cancelled. Jones, Paine says, giggled at the prospect.

Deano knew he had been his own worst enemy at times, but had matured over the years and attempted to show more empathy and less unbridled enthusiasm. Some old wrongs were, unfortunately, never righted.

He and teammate Merv Hughes fell out and hadn’t spoken for 25y ears.

“It’ s the biggest regret of my life,” he admitted. “We were closer than brothers .”