Cricket: Jones' exit was right decision

Nov 5 2007 by Phil Blanche, Western Mail

DUNCAN FLETCHER believes Simon Jones’ move to Worcestershire could be just the catalyst to reignite his injury-hit career.

Jones was one of England’s Ashes heroes in 2005 under Fletcher, but has not made an international appearance since the fourth Test against Australia at Trent Bridge 26 months ago.

Fletcher says he admires and feels for Jones as he tries to get himself back to full fitness from career-saving knee surgery.

And the former England coach hopes his switch from Glamorgan will prove to be the right one for the 28-year-old.

“He is a Welsh boy and it must have been a very difficult decision to leave Glamorgan,” said Fletcher. “I’ve been in that situation when you have to take tough decisions. Taking the Glamorgan job was a big decision, as was the England job, so I appreciate what he must have been going through.

“He must have had many worrying days and nights before he made that decision. Hopefully, it is the right one. One door closes, another one opens. Let’s hope this one opens for him to get his career back on line.

“It will be difficult to say whether this is a good move for him. I don’t know how serious his injury is, I’d have to have a chat with him. But if it means he is going to go out there and play a lot of cricket, it’s got to be a good thing.

“Just getting on the field would be encouraging and drive him to be successful.”

Fletcher insists that Jones still has the appetite for top-level cricket and has proved that by how hard he has worked to return from serious injuries.

“I still believe Simon’s heart is in cricket,” he said. “I don’t think people understand when your heart is in cricket, but injury is getting you down. It’s a huge mental battle you are fighting.

“I feel for him that it must be very frustrating. He has been in the situation where he is 80-90 per cent fit and then you go backwards again.

“You just wonder whether you are going to make it back, it is a huge mental strain. You get back and then all of a sudden you get these fears that another niggle is coming.”

Added Fletcher, “You have to admire the individual and just hope he can get back. I feel really frustrated for the boy. Even a year or 18 months before the Ashes people were questioning why we were keeping him in the side.

“But I am a great believer in speed in cricket and he showed how successful that can be.”