Former Aussie batsman loses honour he received IN '07
Former Aussie batsman losesu00a0honour he received IN '07
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Former Australian batsman Dean Jones, who became a hit with Indian cricket fans when he scored a double century in the Chennai Tied Test of 1986, has been stripped of his Victorian Father of the Year title.
Authorities decided to deprive him of living with that honour after it was revealed that he fathered a love child through an affair with a Sydney model, reported The Australian newspaper.
Jones, a flamboyant batsman and fielder, who was part of Allan Border's World Cup-winning squad in 1987, was awarded the title in 2007 by the Fathers Day Council of Victoria due to his fund-raising activities for the Bone Marrow Donor Institute. Jones took part in charity walks for the cause and also encouraged other cricketers to contribute towards his mission.
The 49-year-old has two daughters ufffd Phoebe (19), and Isabella (14) with Jane, his wife of 24 years.
Jones' lover, a flight attendant and part-time model Kerri-Anne Hamilton gave birth to a son, Koby in August 2009.
The paper reported that their affair began in the late 1990s when they met at a golf event. "The relationship soured just months before Ms Hamilton gave birth when Jones was asked for child support payments," said the report.
Don Parsons, the chief of the Fathers Day Council of Victoria told The Australian yesterday that Jones' award would be "immediately revoked." A decision was reached after a discussion with the council's committee.
"It's an essential action on our part as it doesn't fit with our credibility or our charter," said Parsons, who has been president of the council for 22 years.
"We take it very seriously and we are all quite distressed about it," said Parsons.
Hamilton revealed details of her relationship with the star cricketer in an interview to Nine Network's A Current Affair program. She said she still loves the cricketer.
The newspaper quotes Peter Szabo, a partner in Melbourne suburban legal firm, Moores as saying, "I can confirm Dean Jones is currently supporting a child he fathered during an extra marital relationship."
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