Jones raring to go

Simon Jones took 18 wickets in the 2005 Ashes © Getty Images

Simon Jones is hoping his move to Worcestershire will revitalise his England career, which was cut short by a succession of injury problems.

Jones played in the first four Ashes Tests in 2005, but has not featured at international level since breaking down with a knee injury at Trent Bridge.

He made just 11 appearances in all competitions for Glamorgan in 2007, but decided to move across the Severn, joining Worcestershire on a two-year deal.

“Last year I came back from injury and I was a bit stale,” Jones told ECBtv. “I felt I needed a change, and sometimes change is the best thing.”

There were several counties chasing Jones, but Worcestershire sealed the deal after the 28-year-old spoke to director of cricket Steve Rhodes.

“I went up for a meeting with him and I liked his attitude and plans, and that does kind of sway you sometimes,” Jones admitted.

Jones is keen to take the new ball for Worcestershire

“I know some of the lads there and they are a great bunch - Gareth Batty, Vikram Solanki and Kabir Ali. Steve Davies, the 'keeper, is someone I have worked with on the academy.”

Jones’ role on the staff at Worcestershire is yet to be fully decided, but the bowler himself has a fair idea as to his immediate ambitions.

“Obviously I’d like to take the new ball,” he said. “And I’d like to use the games there to do as much as I can do to push for my England place again.

“Steven Rhodes knows that and said ‘I’m happy with that because to get back in the England team you have got to take wickets and play consistently’.”

First and foremost, however, Jones knows he has to put his injury woes behind him and concentrate on returning to full fitness.

“It’s something that you never get used to,” he said. “You just put your head down, work hard and try and keep positive - make sure you have got a good team of people around you and that does help.”

There is no doubt that England missed Jones’ pace and ability to reverse-swing the ball during the Ashes in 2006/07, after he took 18 wickets in the 2005 series.

Matthew Maynard was unable to keep Jones © Getty Images

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“We did have a very, very good side in 2005,” he said. “If you look back at how we played before - starting in South Africa and the West Indies and then we beat New Zealand - it was such a good run of success that the confidence going into the Ashes was really good.

“The boys believed in themselves and we all believed in each other. We knew our roles like the backs of our hands.

“That was one of the reasons why we won the series, because we were so confident.”

But Jones admits that he did not see much of the series in Australia, saying: “I’m a terrible watcher, especially when you want to be there playing with the lads.

“They had such a tough series that you certainly feel you want to help out. Maybe I wouldn’t have made a difference, I don’t know, but you want to be out there with them.

“The Aussies are a special team. They have got a special attitude and I think a lot of teams could learn from their ideas and their mental toughness.”

Jones could yet find himself lining up against Australia once more, with the Ashes series returning to England - and Wales - in 2009.

Cardiff has already secured an Ashes Test at the new Sophia Gardens, and Jones is looking forward to the event.

“It is going to be special, that,” he enthused.

Jones may go to Australia to work with mentor Troy Cooley

“One of the reasons Matt (Maynard) said I should stay (at Glamorgan) is because I would be a Welshman playing in Cardiff.

“Well, I don’t think me crossing the bridge or going up the M50 is going to change my nationality, really. I will still be a Welshman playing in Cardiff - if I do play.

“That will be a hell of an occasion because the Welsh people are really passionate. And obviously they support England too, especially when we are playing the Australians.

“I’ve seen the arena too, and it is going to be a special place.”

As for Jones’ plans for the winter, a mixture of hard work and rest are on the agenda.

“My aim now is to get back next summer as fit as I can and push for a place with England, so I will be training as hard as I can,” he said.

“I might go to Australia and do some work out there - maybe with Troy Cooley, I’m not sure. It is an option for me.

“We shall have to wait and see.”

To watch the full exclusive interview with Simon Jones on ECBtv, click here.