Australia cricket great Dean Jones was laid to rest over the weekend following a touching service at his cricketing home, the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
With the Australian flag draped over his coffin, and beside a floral arrangement spelling his Test number 324, Jones was sent on a final lap of the MCG as Elton John’s Rocketman played.
Due to Victoria’s COVID-19 restrictions, only 10 of Jones’ closest family were allowed to attend, including wife Jane and daughters Phoebe and Augusta.
Watch every match of the 2020 IPL Season LIVE on Fox Sports with Kayo. New to Kayo? Get your free trial now & start streaming instantly >
The MCG was a fitting venue for the funeral of Jones, who represented club, state and country at the ground during an illustrious career.
A larger service to honour Jones — who died of a heart attack in Mumbai last month, aged 59 — is being planned for once gathering restrictions are eased.
Jones’ wife, Jane, said in a statement that her family had been “deeply moved” by the outpouring of love for her husband.
She added: “It has been an awful time to navigate as a family, but I could not have thought of a more fitting place to say goodbye to my husband than under the lights of his beloved MCG.
“What better way to honour him than with the music of his friends Elton John and INXS echoing throughout the empty stadium.
“We will forever miss Dean’s energy, his zest for life, passion for cricket and his love for us as a family.”
The following poem, written by Jones’ friend Chris Driscoll, was read at the service and included in the statement.
Hold Him tenderly, O’Mother India
For he was Our favourite son
Place gently the zinc white ash on his resting forehead
Anoint him in Linseed oil
Place old willow by his side
We wait for him, for his return.
No full breath drawn
Shallow gasps and disbelief
This force of nature, impervious to all assault
But not our grief
Stumps are called
The bails removed
Player 324, no more to prove
Zinc cream, his baggy green
The Ashes Tests
Champion of Champions
Now lay him to his rest
As we hold him tenderly in our hearts forever.
