Cricket: Simon Jones on track to return

Feb 27 2008 by Gareth Griffiths, South Wales Echo

As he prepares for a new campaign with a new county, Simon Jones talks to GARETH GRIFFITHS

BATTLING back to full fitness is not something new for Simon Jones.

And the former Glamorgan paceman’s is hoping his latest efforts will not be in vain as he prepares for the summer with new county Worcestershire.

The 29-year-old’s career has been blighted by injury since he burst onto the scene with the Welsh county and won his first Test cap in 2002 against India.

Since then he has played in 18 tests and taken 59 wickets, most notably helping England famously defeat Australia and reclaim the Ashes in the summer of 2005.

But that was his last international Test action and Jones has played little cricket in the last two-and-a-half years because of his latest problems.

After losing his England central contract last year, Jones took the bold move to turn down a new Glamorgan deal and move across the border to Worcestershire.

He is currently training with his new county and staying with former England off-spinner Gareth Batty, while looking for a place to rent.

His routine at the moment involves the gym, nets and running sessions which includes repetitions of sprints while carrying 25kg weights on his back. And that is before official pre-season starts next month.

“I have hit it hard since Christmas and been working with the Worcestershire coach Steve Rhodes and physio Dave Lowe,” said Jones.

“We have three weeks now before pre-season so we need to get our heads down and get on with things.

“We are pretty knackered by the end of the week, but the knee is fine. I am running well and the ball has come out of my hand well over the last couple of weeks.

“Hopefully the weather will help us get a chance to get outside before the start of the season.”

And Jones is full of enthusiasm before the start of the new campaign and is determined to defy the doubters.

“It is an important season for me and I am really up for it,” said Jones.

“I have been here before where people have questioned whether it is the end and if I can come back, but I am as positive as I have been in the last couple of seasons and it has been a new lease of life for me at Worcestershire.

“I am surrounded by a different group of lads and I have been able to work with the likes of Graeme Hick, Kabir Ali, Gareth Batty and Vikram Solanki and it has gone really well.

“There are a great bunch of boys and there is a lot of banter. I have to thank the county for showing some faith in me.

“Things did not quite work out at Glamorgan for me.

“Staleness is a bad thing and I needed to get out of my comfort zone. I have no regrets. I needed a new start because I was at Glamorgan for 12 years and you do need a change.

“It might have shocked a couple of people but you need to look after number one these days. I have been through some bad injuries and that shows it can be a short career.”

Jones is looking forward to starting his comeback in April, but it will also be a busy time off the field as he expects another addition to his young family.

His 15-month old son Harvey is expecting a brother in late April and Jones admits his new lifestyle has changed him.

“Family life changes you and you realise what is important in life,” said Jones, who has asked fellow English cricketer Kevin Pietersen to be godfather to his new-born son.

“Cricket is important to me but it is just a job. I have a little boy with another one on the way and it opens your eyes when you are getting up at 2am in the morning.”

"I'd play in Indian league"

SIMON Jones has admitted he would consider playing in the new Indian Premier League if the right offer came up.

Some of cricket’s leading names like Ricky Ponting, Shane Warne and the leading Indian stars are set to play in the game’s new multi-million phenomena which starts in April.

So far none of the top England’s stars have signed up but Jones believes players like himself who do not have central contracts will have to seriously consider it because it is a chance to earn big money during a short career.

“It is something I would definitely consider in the future,” said Jones.

“I am not saying I would do it but if there is an offer there I would contemplate it.

“It is going to give people an opportunity to earn some money.

“It will give the lads who do not have central contacts to earn some big bucks.

“There are no English Test guys involved at the moment but that might change.

“They won’t let the big names play because they are on central contracts.

“You can’t blame people for considering especially bowlers because it is a short career and you sometimes have to strike while the iron is hot.

“The league has its pros and cons.

“People doubted Twenty 20 but look at how successful that is become.”

Jones has already tasted Indian culture this summer having making a cameo appearance in a Bollywood film about cricket, which was shot in Sydney.

“It was something very different and the longest 13 hours of my life during the filming,” said Jones.

“I am not sure if I could do it again but it was a good experience.

“And what I did learn is that cricketers are treated like Gods in India.”