Jones set for England Test debut
Saturday, April 10, 2004
ST JOHN'S, Antigua (AFP): Wicketkeeper
Geraint Jones will win his first cap for England in the fourth Test against
West Indies which gets underway here on Saturday after the selectors lost
patience with Chris Read. Read has failed to
find any form with the bat as England have taken a 3-0 lead, winning a series
in the Caribbean for the first time since 1968.
The Nottinghamshire wicketkeeper has managed just 36 runs in the three Tests
so far. Kent player Jones's inclusion is the
only change to the side although spinner Gareth Batty has been put on stand-by
because Ashley Giles has a stomach bug.
Although Read has looked impressive behind the stumps, Jones sealed his place
with a fighting innings of 66 in his only knock on the tour so far against the
Carib Beer XI last week.
"Geraint is a very impressive character,"
skipper Michael Vaughan told reporters here.
"In the tour match in Barbados, he was head
and shoulders above all the batters except Graham Thorpe."
"Chris has had a good run in team and
Geraint Jones will get exactly the same opportunity - he'll get a good stint
and start against New Zealand in May."
Jones boasts a colourful background.
His parents are Welsh but he was born in Papua New Guinea before being raised
in Australia. He was in fine form for Kent
last summer scoring almost 900 runs and taking 50 catches which earned him a
place on the tours to Bangladesh and Sri Lanka late last year.
The West Indies have also made one change
with all-rounder Ricardo Powell taking over from Shivnarine Chanderpaul.
The Windies will retain a four-strong seam
attack of Fidel Edwards, Tino Best, Corey Collymore and Pedro Collins with
Chris Gayle providing a spin option.
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