Simon Jones

Did anyone catch the Worcs/Hants game on TV? What was he bowling like and was he landing without pain?

For someone who was in danger of being permanently crocked these stats are impressive
http://www.cricketarchive.com/Worcestershire/Players/5/5595/Current_Season_Averages.html

Although the proof is in the pudding of course as to whether he can stay fit. Most encouraging though to see him in the wickets again - last season was painful watching him grimace as he was running in every ball.

Maybe international cricket has not seen the last of him - would be a great comeback 4 years later in 2009 or is that dreaming too much?

Maybe international cricket has not seen the last of him - would be a great comeback 4 years later in 2009 or is that dreaming too much?

Well it's certainly more likely than Warnie making a comeback....

Bowled fast in that game. Got tired quite quickly though.

PearlJ wrote:Bowled fast in that game. Got tired quite quickly though.

Understandable that really, good to hear he still has decent pace this year.

PearlJ wrote:Bowled fast in that game. Got tired quite quickly though.

He'll get his stamina back with more cricket under his belt.

Really hopeful on this this one. Needs to play the whole season (or as many games as worc allow) and then he might get a place in the squad for the winter tours.

Ashes attack could potentially be:

Broad/Hoggard/Onions/other
Flintoff
Jones
Panesar

Anyone got any spare straws to clutch at?

I'd be tempted to consider him at some stage during the South Africa series if he's fit. Especially if he's bowling with good pace as the reports are saying. What's the point of having a rolls Royce if you're going to leave it in the garage?

From these shores only Andrew Flintoff could produce a spell of bowling like the one Simon Jones mustered in his opening six overs last night.

He was unplayable at times; merely exceptional at others.

He was back bowling at 90 mph-plus and while the odd one went astray his threat was persistent.

Jones will be impossible for the England selectors to ignore if he finds the sus-tained form that looks more likely with each passing week.

Quite simply, he is a match-winner, even though he could not win this one.

Sounds good - although the 90mph+ stuff is probably BS

Henry wrote:I'd be tempted to consider him at some stage during the South Africa series if he's fit. Especially if he's bowling with good pace as the reports are saying. What's the point of having a rolls Royce if you're going to leave it in the garage?

Not a very good analogy as Rolls made their reputation by not breaking down.

Lara Lara Laughs wrote:Really hopeful on this this one. Needs to play the whole season (or as many games as worc allow) and then he might get a place in the squad for the winter tours.

Ashes attack could potentially be:

Broad/Hoggard/Onions/other
Flintoff
Jones
Panesar

So Siders is out of favour already?

I watched him the other day. He bustled in off a short jog and wanged them down at 85-89mph. Got it in good areas and had a bit of shape towards the right-hand batsmen. There was a suggestion from the commentator that it might have been a touch of reverse swing. He kept the ball in good areas and bowled a few jaffas to boot. Struggled at the end of his overs when Brown and Mascarenhas were marching towards victory, but it was that sort of game as you can tell by the scorecard.

He looked in good nick though - I was impressed and dare I say a little excited. I also got the feeling that he was bowling within himself a little, sort of like SiJo always does. Lazy Welsh bastard.

Oh, and he has a really fat arse nowadays too, fat so-and-so.

Sidebottom
Tremlett
Flintoff
Jones
Panesar

Would be my ideal (and yes, there's five) attack for the ashes. Shame that three of them are so prone to injury.....

Would agree with that bowling line up, Trev. It'd depend on

a) Fred, Jones and Tremlett being and staying fit

b) Fred learning how to bat otherwise the tail would be shockingly weak