Dean Jones set to announce ‘big news’ soon; Pakistan cricket fans delighted

Former Australia cricketer Dean Jones is known to be a colorful individual. The man makes cricket a complete package of entertainment through his commentary and analysis off the ground while on it, he invests time in some serious coaching. On Tuesday, the 58-year-old came up with a cryptic message on Twitter in which he spoke about an impending “big news” which will be broken by the end of the current week.

Jones, who played 52 Tests and 164 ODIs for Australia between 1984 and 1992 and was known for his brisk scoring, doesn’t have tons of experience in coaching at the highest level. But the man has a high acceptance level and enjoys an excellent rapport with the cricketing authorities in Pakistan.

He has also coached Islamabad United to a couple of crowns in the Pakistan Super League T20 tournament in 2016 and 2018. He served as the interim head coach of Afghanistan in October 2017 but that was for a short stint. Is he now set to become the coach of the Pakistan national team?

If Jones makes it, then it would be a major surprise as former Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq appears to be a front-runner for the coveted job. Former West Indian captain Courtney Walsh is also in the race for the position after his contract with Bangladesh as the bowling coach expired after the ICC World Cup 2019.

Big news to be announced by the end of the week!! #staytuned #whatcanitbe

— Dean Jones AM (@ProfDeano) August 27, 2019

Pakistan Cricket fans predict it

Meanwhile, a poll conducted to gauge the fans’ opinions as the next Pakistan coach showed Jones overtaking Misbah by some margin. The poll, conducted on Geo Super’s official Twitter account, showed 45 per cent of the fans voting for Jones while Misbah got 37 per cent. Walsh received only six per cent and 12 per cent went for “someone else” option.

New coach of Pakistan Crickt Team

— Muhammad Noman (@Nomancricket29) August 27, 2019

I hope it has something to do with you and Pakistan Cricket!

— Adil ????????‍???? ???????? (@armwd) August 27, 2019

We Just want You as a Head Coach oF Pakistan.

There No Need oF any Other Batting Coach; ProF Deano Knows Everything about Batting As a Former Aussie Opener❣❣@ProfDeano You are the Best ????

— Mehran Mani???????? (@Abbasi_HooN) August 27, 2019

Pakistan’s head coach, inshallah. ????????

— Ashar Jawad (@AsharJawad) August 27, 2019

Pakistan Head Coach ????

— Ch Shaban (@ShabanSays) August 27, 2019

coach of pakistan cricket team

— Vinod (@_vinod) August 27, 2019

I think it would be head coach of Pakistan cricket team

— SahiL Rajput (@shafahussain9) August 27, 2019

Its must be pak head coach

— syed Aitzaz Raza (@aitzaz123) August 27, 2019

Ahan, probably the New Head Coach of Pakistan Cricket team????????????????

— Zunair AB???????? (@Zunair_97) August 27, 2019

Pakistan cricket witnessed some churning following their dismal performance in the cricket World Cup in which a late surge failed to take them to the semi-finals. Head coach Mickey Arthur was removed after the debacle. The Pakistan board also refused to renew the contract of batting coach Grant Flower, bowling coach Azhar Mahmood and trainer Grant Luden.

If appointed, Jones will not be the first Australian to coach the Pakistan cricket team. Geoff Lawson and Dav Whatmore have already done it before.