“Daily Mail Australia understands Jones collapsed in the lobby of the hotel as he entered with former fast bowler Brett Lee, who desperately tried to revive him with CPR,” wrote the newspaper on its website.

“According to close friends, Jones went for a run on Thursday morning before suffering the heart attack at lunchtime,” it said.

Earlier in the day, STAR India confirmed the news of Jones’s passing away. “It is with great sadness that we share the news of the passing away of Mr. Dean Mervyn Jones AM. He died of a sudden cardiac arrest,” STAR India said in a statement.

“We express our deep condolences to his family and stand ready to support them in this difficult time. We are in touch with the Australian High Commission to make the necessary arrangements.”

Jones played 52 Tests for Australia, amassing 3,631 runs at 46.55 with 11 centuries and 14 fifties. In 164 ODIs, he scored 6,068 runs at 44.61 with seven tons and 46 fifties.

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STAR India said that Jones was one of the great ambassadors of the game who associated himself with cricket development across South Asia.

“He was passionate about discovering new talent and nurturing young cricketers. He was a champion commentator whose presence and presentation of the game always brought joy to millions of fans. He will be sorely missed by everyone at STAR and his millions of fans across the globe. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends,” the statement said.