Glamorgan hope to tie up Jones deal

Glamorgan, the National League Division One champions, are hopeful of persuading Simon Jones to sign a new three-year contract before the start of the season to secure his long-term future at the club. During England's tour of Zimbabwe Jones had expressed his frustration about the lack of one-day opportunities coming his way, but it now seems he is ready to stay at Sophia Gardens.

Jones, who holds a 12-month central contract and is therefore paid by England and not Glamorgan, is currently on holiday in Singapore, but it is hoped the deal will be finalised once he returns. Mike Fatkin, Glamorgan's chief executive told the Western Mail: "I've spoken to Simon and everything seems positive which is very encouraging. It's just a question of talking to him when he returns and, hopefully, it will all be sorted by the beginning of the season."

Jones, 26, took 15 wickets during the Test series against South Africa at 26.66 and formed an important part of the attack as Steve Harmison's form dipped. However, he is currently on the fringe of the one-day team after playing two games against Zimbabwe, and being on standby while Harmison recovered from injury at the start of the one-day series against South Africa.

He felt his progress in limited-overs cricket was being hindered by not being a regular in Glamorgan's one-day team. In five years he as only played 12 one-day matches, bowling 90 overs and claiming seven wickets at over 71 apiece - although that lack of games can be partly attributed to his central contract. In his early days he was a tearaway quick bowler, but since returning from the knee injury he sustained at Brisbane in November 2002 he has added more control to compensate for a reduction in pace.