Kevin Pietersen keen on Simon Jones for England
KEVIN Pietersen has revealed how he wants Worcestershire’s Simon Jones to be part of his future England plans once he recovers from his latest knee operation.
The new England captain has demonstrated his leadership skills already since taking over the job four weeks ago by recalling Steve Harmison to the Test line-up at The Oval and then persuading him to reverse his decision to retire from one-day cricket.
He has also galvanised key all-rounder Andrew Flintoff into delivering some of the best cricket he has played in several years to help England win the first four matches of the NatWest Series against South Africa and they stand on the brink of a whitewash should they triumph in Cardiff tomorrow.
But today he has announced he wants 29-year-old Jones to also be included in his new England regime providing the recent knee operation that ended his season with the Pears is successful.
“I’m a huge Simon Jones fan,” said Pietersen. “I’m a good mate of his, I’ve always kept in touch with Simon and I speak to him regularly.
“I’m probably not as distraught as he is about his operation but I’m gutted because I wanted Simon to come to India and play for me.
“He was an unsung hero of 2005 and he definitely has it and he’s someone I definitely want to get involved again.”
Jones, who has not played for England since 2005, was on course to be included in the plans for the pre-Christmas tour of India after claiming 42 championship wickets at 18.02.
He was selected for the Lions squad to face South Africa at Leicester on August 14, but was forced to withdraw with a hamstring strain and has now had a further knee operation.
