Tribute to Deano as rift repaired

DEAN Jones has had his Cricket Victoria life membership reinstated posthumously and was honoured with a touching tribute at the MCG on Boxing Day.

Wife Janey and daughters Phoebe and Gussie placed Jones’ baggy green cap, Kookaburra bat and iconic sunglasses on the stumps during the Test’s tea break.

They all kissed the Australian emblem on the baggy green and were accompanied to the middle of the MCG by former captain Allan Border.

Victorian James Pattinson and India’s KL Rahul then removed the treasured items, placing them on a seat to take in the final session of the famous Test match, which Jones played in six times.

Jones tore up his Cricket Victoria life membership earlier this year and demanded his name be removed from the state’s award for the best oneday player.

Australian one-day captain Aaron Finch received Cricket Victoria’s One-Day Player of the Year award in April, whereas last year Peter Handscomb was given the Dean Jones Medal.

But Jones’ name will also return to the medal after CV received the family’s blessing to honour one of the state’s biggest figures.

“Dean was one of Victoria’s greatest players and we want his cricket legacy to live on here for many decades to come,” CV chairman David Maddocks said.

News Corp reported when Jones died CV would look to repair its relationship with the Jones family after it turned sour six months ago.

“It was one of those things with a slight difference of opinion and obviously he thought a couple of things could’ve gone his way,” CV general manager Shaun Graf said at the time.