Champions Trophy call-up for Jones - Sport in brief - Evening Standard
       

Champions Trophy call-up for Jones

Ashes hero Simon Jones has moved a step closer to an international return after being named in England's provisional 30-man squad for the ICC Champions Trophy.

Welsh paceman Jones, who has enjoyed a prolific start to his Worcestershire career this summer, last played for England in the fourth Test of the 2005 Test win over Australia.

He ransacked the Australian batting that summer with 18 wickets in what was effectively three-and-a-half matches but has been sidelined through injury for much of the time since.

Andrew Flintoff, who captained England in the last Champions Trophy, is included in a top-heavy squad to be trimmed in just over a month's time.

It also comprises five uncapped players, most notably perhaps Darren Pattinson, Nottinghamshire's Australian fast bowler, who was born in Grimsby.

The other four are his county colleague Samit Patel, and England Lions trio James Tredwell, Graham Onions and Michael Carberry.

"Although the 30-man ICC Champions Trophy squad is extensive it contains some exceptional talent and a strong mix of youth and experience," said national selector Geoff Miller.

"The ICC Champions Trophy will give us the chance to test our one-day international side against the best in the world and I know the players will be looking forward to the challenge of improving our current ODI ranking.

"We will continue to monitor performance in the lead up to narrowing the squad to a final number of 15."

This year's Champions Trophy, to be held in Pakistan during September, has been reduced to just eight teams, and England open with a match against Sri Lanka.

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