Melbourne, Dec 26 (UNI) Former Australia cricketer Dean Jones, who passed away in September in Mumbai, was paid a special tribute at his home ground here by Indian and Australian players, who were joined by his wife, daughters and the legendary Allan Border, during the Boxing Day Test on Saturday.

During the tea session of the match, Border, Jones' wife Jane, and daughters - Augusta and Phoebe - took a long walk from the boundary of the Melbourne Cricket Ground to the centre, carrying his baggy green, sunglasses and Kookaburra bat and laid the items to rest on the stumps at the pitch.

"Dean Jones' wife and daughters paid tribute to the Australia legend at his beloved MCG today," ICC tweeted.

Later, 12th men from both sides - KL Rahul (India) and James Pattinson (Australia) - collected the items and rested them on a seat by the boundary.

A Jones highlights package and video tribute was also played, reflecting the facts Jones was Australia's 324th Test cricketer and his highest first-class score was 324.

Meanwhile, Australian players led by Tim Paine gave a nod to Jones by wearing zinc on their bottom lips - one of his trademark looks - during the pre-match national anthem.

Jones was earlier given a private farewell lap of the MCG in October while Melbourne was in lockdown.

The Boxing Day Test was the first Test match at the MCG since the demise of the former cricketer.



Jones, who was 59, died from a stroke in September while fulfilling Indian Premier League commentary duties in Mumbai.

Former Australian cricketer Brett Lee, who was with Jones during his final hours had tried to revive him by performing CPR, but he could not.

'It’s quite fitting the tribute was done during Australia vs India. He's loved over there,' Lee told Fox Sports.

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