DEAN_JONES_RETIRES_13APR94

AUSSIE STAR QUITS TEAM

Australian batsman Dean Jones has announced his retirement from Test and international cricket after a disappointing tour of South Africa. The 33 year old had a reputation of being the most feared batsman in one day matches but his own high standards have slipped recently. Jones will continue to play for Victoria in the Sheffield Shield and county cricket for Durham. He said: "I spoke to my family and I have decided that I've had enough of travelling and running around."

====> MORE Jones ends his Test career By Peter Deeley in Cape Town

Dean Jones has announced his retirement from Test cricket at the age of 33 at the end of an Australian tour where he spent much of his time as onlooker, a role unsuited to his breezy temperament. Despite an impressive batting average of 46.55 in his 52 Tests, Jones was brought to South Africa primarily as a one-day player on the basis of his explosive stroke-play. Even in that guise he hardly fulfilled himself, scoring only 146 runs in the first seven games. Relegated to 12th man for the final day-night match in Bloemfontein, the Victorian had come to the end of his patience with the selectors. It was a game Jones particularly would have relished. Australia won by one run to level the international series 4-4. South Africa looked to be winning when, chasing a target of 204, they reached 143 for two. Then six wickets went down in 10 overs; Dave Richardson going for the single which would have tied the game - and given the home side the rubber - was run out off the last ball. Jones said afterwards: "I've basically always wanted to be a Test player and I felt my chances were running out. I've been on the road for 12 years and I have had enough of touring and running around. "I would like to be remembered as a guy who had a go," - words which will be echoed by many opponents, in particular India against whom Jones scored 210 not out at Madras on the 1986-87 Australian tour. Coach Bobby Simpson recalled that innings - only Jones's third Test - saying "it was an astonishing knock in probably the worst conditions I have ever known". Jones suffered severe dehydration from the intense humidity and afterwards was taken to hospital. Simpson said: "It was an innings of the highest courage." Jones had a successful season at Durham during their baptism in the championship in 1992, scoring 904 runs at over 60. Yet he was astonishingly omitted from the next Australian touring party. Nineteen months ago he topped the batting averages against Sri Lanka only to disappear completely from Test reckoning, a stage where his 3,631 runs included 11 centuries. Jones played 164 one-day internationals scoring over 6,000 runs at an average of 45.

(Thanks : The Daily Telegraph)