Dean Jones' namesake son, Koby Dean Hamilton-Jones, may not have been at the late cricketer's funeral, but he's certainly inherited the legendary batsman's ability on the pitch.
With his heart set on playing cricket for Australia one day, Koby declares with a big grin, "I'll be a better bowler than Dad!"
Though the 14-year-old does admit "there's a bit to go" in the batting department before he can emulate Dean's incredible cricketing feats. This includes notching up 3631 runs in 52 Tests between 1984 and 1992.
For the first time ever, Koby is opening up publicly about the love he shared with his dad, and the pain and grief he endured when 'Deano' died suddenly in Mumbai on September 24, 2020, from a stroke. He was aged just 59.
"I think he would love the idea of me playing cricket," Koby tells New Idea in an exclusive interview.
"I miss his funny sense of humour. I miss how much he loved me. I miss how much he cared for me and my mother. I miss how sporty he was. I love how he got into everything I did. I just miss all of him."
Koby's mum Kerri-Anne Hamilton met Dean at a celebrity golf day in Sydney in 1998 when she was 24 and he was 36. Dean had recently retired from Test and One Day International cricket, and soon they were hopelessly in love.
Three months later, Kerri-Anne found out Dean was still married to his wife, Jane, and was raising two daughters with her in Melbourne. They broke up, but eventually resumed their relationship.
They briefly split up again when Kerri-Anne fell pregnant with Koby, who didn't meet his dad until he was two years old.
"I remember it like it was yesterday because it was so emotional," Kerri-Anne tells us. "Dean sent me a message saying 'this is silly I need to meet my son and I want to meet my son.'
This story is from the October 2, 2023 edition of New Idea.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the October 2, 2023 edition of New Idea.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Journey to JAKARTA
EMBARK ON A VIBRANT FAMILY ADVENTURE WITH SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE
HELEN'S BOLDEST ROLE YET ITS TIME TO SHAKE THINGS UP
THE ACTRESS DRASTICALLY TRANSFORMS FOR HER NEW FILM
STARRY SISTERHOOD FIRM FRIENDS then & now!
RITA, DEMI AND MELANIE ARE STILL THICK AS THIEVES
Celebrating THE MAGIC OF MR SQUIGGLE!
A NEW EXHIBIT HONOURS THE TREASURED PENCIL-NOSED MARIONETTE
ELVIS 'LOVE CHILD' blindsides Priscilla!
HER SHOCK MEETING WITH AN UNWELCOME GUEST
CHRISTIE HAYES ISTILL FEEL LUCKY'
THE STAR OPENS UP ABOUT A DIFFICULT TIME
WHAT'S REALLY GOING ON with Hugh?
THE AUSSIE STAR HAS BEEN GOING THROUGH A TOUGH TIME
NURSING IS IN OUR BLOOD!'
SAVING LIVES IS A FAMILY AFFAIR FOR THESE WOMEN
PREGNANCY BOMBSHELL!
WILL A FARMER BE HEARING THE PATTER OF BABY FEET?
Eugenie & Jack CRACKS ARE SHOWING!
THE HOMESICK PRINCESS WANTS TO BE CLOSER TO HER UK FAMILY