By Glenn Pearson
Kent skipper Rob Key has backed wicketkeeper Geraint Jones to reclaim his place in the England Test squad.
The Kent gloveman was part of the Ashes winning side in 2005, but lost his place in the England side after the third Test in Australia in 2007.
The 31-year-old has started the season in solid fashion for Kent with signs of improvement behind the stumps and with the bat.
A knock of 86 to help Kent post a winning total against Surrey at the Oval in the Friends Provident Trophy, as well as a battling 51 not out against Sussex in testing conditions has shown Jones still has the stomach for the fight.
His performance behind the stumps in the Tunbridge Wells festival against Somerset was faultless and included a fantastic one-handed catch to dismiss Peter Trego in the first innings for 49.
Key has been impressed with his wicketkeeper’s all round performances thus far.
He said: “I think Jonesey has started the season pretty well. It was a fantastic catch that he got to get rid of Trego and he has started this season well. When he has been given an opportunity he has taken it.
“He batted well at Sussex in what were tough conditions in the four-day county championship and he played very well at the Oval in a one-day game with Surrey, where he helped win the game with the bat under pressure.”
The jury is still out on whether Tim Ambrose, the current England Test wicketkeeper, will be given a fair crack of the whip and there is still a long line of keeper/batsmen that are vying for a place.
Phil Mustard was given the nod last year in One-Day Internationals, but failed to make a big score at the top of the innings, while Matt Prior at Sussex is refusing to give up and is scoring lots of runs at Hove.
England coach Peter Moores recently refused to rule Chris Read from Nottinghamshire out the running, claiming that he has been discussed by the selectors.
After losing his spot to Read during the 5-0 drubbing by Australia in the Ashes last year, Jones claimed he would return to county cricket to prove himself again.
So can Jones reclaim his place in the England team?
“I think there is no reason why not,” Key said. “It is a bit of a poisoned chalice at the moment, isn’t it, the England wicketkeeper position. The guy who scores the most runs should get the gig as far as I am concerned.
I am sure he will get an opportunity again.”
POSTED: 25/05/2008 12:00:00