Jones set for comeback - again

A rare shot of Simon Jones in first-class action for Glamorgan © Getty Images

Simon Jones is in line for his first Championship match since mid-May, when he suffered yet another setback in his recovery from the knee surgery he underwent last season.

Since then, Jones has played two one-day matches, but it will be the first chance to test out his knee at first-class level in three months, when Glamorgan host Leicestershire at Abergavenny on Wednesday.

He sorely needs some cricket; he has taken only one first-class wicket since the 2005 Ashes, in his sole Championship match, against Essex, last year - and on the rare occasion when he has set foot on a cricket field, it has usually resulted in him limping off.

His comeback for Glamorgan during the 2006 season, following his aborted return on England's tour of India, lasted four matches before he broke down against Ireland in the C&G Trophy.

This season, he has played one Championship match so far, against Gloucestershire, when he went wicketless in his 37 overs, with 112 runs coming off him. At that point England had hoped he would be in the frame for a return sometime this season. As it is, he now seems a long way off playing.

Nevertheless, news of his return will lift Glamorgan, who have been without another pace bowler, David Harrison, since a back injury in April ruled him out for the season. Batsman Michael Powell is still recovering from the operation to remove a blood clot.

They have also recalled Huw Waters, a seamer in the Jones mould, who was rested for the draw with Derbyshire. But all eyes will be on Jones, to see if his knee can hold up this time.