Cricket: Jones vows to make Ashes return in Cardiff

Mar 2 2008 by Our Correspondent, Wales On Sunday

SIMON JONES will settle down in front of his television late on Tuesday thinking what might have been – and what might be again.

One of the heroes of England’s Ashes triumph in 2005, Jones will watch on with envy as skipper Michael Vaughan leads out his men for the first Test in New Zealand.

And after a series of injuries which have made him a virtual spectator since then, the England fast bowler is determined to make it back to the highest level.

“I believe I can play for England again. I certainly want to and I know this is a big season for me,” said Jones, who took 18 wickets in four Tests against Australia in 2005.

“It’s such a relief to be injury free, I’m ready for the new season and feel I’m in the best shape for quite a long time.

“I have worked extremely hard for the last three months and now I just want to get some cricket under my belt. I’m desperate to do that.”

Jones’ career has been rocked by injuries since he ruptured his cruciate knee ligaments on the opening day of the 2002 Ashes series in Brisbane.

He fought his way back to become an integral part of the Ashes success three years later, but it has been one problem after another since he missed the final Test of that series with an ankle injury.

That ruled him out of a tour to Pakistan, followed quickly by an injury to his knee in India which wiped out 2006 – when he joined a stellar list of sports stars to go under the knife of world-renowned Dr Richard Steadman at his Colorado clinic.

He returned briefly for Glamorgan last season but a recurrence of the knee problem and a calf injury restricted his playing appearances – eventually bidding farewell to his home county to join Worcestershire.

And he is determined to make the most of his fresh start by forcing his way back into the thoughts of new England coach Peter Moores.

“I’ve not spoken to Peter because he’s got his own job to do and I don’t want to put too much pressure on myself. So playing for England against New Zealand and South Africa in the summer may be too soon for me,” he said.

“But a winter tour is definitely something for me to target.”

“It’s unrealistic for any fast bowler to play in every game of the season because it’s a gruelling schedule.

“Steve Rhodes (Worcestershire coach) has said we will have a rotation policy to keep us fresh and he believes I can get back to where I was. That’s been really encouraging for me.”

It’s not just former England wicketkeeper Rhodes who recognises the importance of the king of swing.

Australian batting legend Steve Waugh last week revealed that England’s biggest loss since that Ashes success three years ago had been Jones’ aggression and fire from their bowling attack.

And without Jones more weight has been placed on the shoulders of fellow quickie Steve Harmison.

The Durham giant has also been blighted by injuries but will spearhead the attack against the Kiwis in Hamilton.

Harmy, who arrived late for the tour after being given permission to attend the birth of his fourth child, proved his fitness in England’s warm-up match against an Invitational XI by taking three wickets in 19 overs in Dunedin last week.

And 29-year-old Jones has tipped his England team-mate to rip through New Zealand’s batting line-up.

“Harmy can be a match winner when he gets it right. He’s had a few injuries, like me but he’s proved in the past that he can do it at the highest level,” said Jones.

“It’s a big series for England. They lost the one-day series but they’ve got great players and top talent coming through.

“They will bounce back strongly.”

Jones has played just 18 Tests and taken 59 wickets for England since making his debut against India in 2002.

But, despite the injuries he has enjoyed some great highs, including being awarded an MBE for his Ashes heroics.

And his career highlight remains the five-wicket haul he took during that golden summer against the Aussies at Old Trafford.

Jones said: “That spell against Australia was the best of my life. I felt at that time I could run in and bowl to anyone in the world.

“It was a great feeling. We’d beaten New Zealand, West Indies, South Africa and then Bangladesh and were on a roll.

“We were all so confident in ourselves and each other because we’d had such good preparation – it didn’t matter who we faced. And I believe I can get back to that level.”

But before Jones can dream of representing his country again, he faces the challenge of making his first steps at a new county.

After more than a decade at Sophia Gardens, his switch to New Road in a two-year deal annoyed many punters of the Welsh county but Jones reckons it was a move he had to make.

And he will make a quick return to Cardiff when the Pears face the Dragons in the Twenty 20 Cup on June 15.

Jones added: “I’m not sure what reception I will get when I return but it will be nice to come back.

“I know there were a few people unhappy that I left but they are not in my position.

“I’ve got a young family and I had to make a difficult decision.

“I also felt I needed a shock to the system and a new challenge.

“I’m really excited about the move. Worcestershire won the Pro 40 cup last season and at this time of my career, it’s exactly the move I need.

“I will do my best to take wickets there and I aim to come back to Sophia Gardens to play for England in the Test match against Australia in 2009.”