Graveney gives backing to Jones

The England chairman of selectors David Graveney has given his backing to Geraint Jones, the England wicketkeeper, ahead of the first Test against Pakistan at Lord's on Thursday.

England's choice of wicketkeeper has again come under scrutiny following a superb hundred from Chris Read, who Jones replaced in 2004, in England A's warm-up match against the touring Pakistanis. In his last ten Tests, Jones has reached fifty just twice and averages a mere 19 - some distance behind an already meagre career average of 26.67.

"We have selected Geraint Jones, because we believe he is the best wicketkeeper," Graveney told Sky Sports yesterday. "What he brings to the team is what we want at the present time. Geraint Jones is our man, and we will give him our full support."

Read, though, has plundered runs heavily in domestic cricket: since 2003, he has amassed 2357 runs for Nottinghamshire and England A at an average of over 50. Graveney and Geoff Miller, both selectors, were at Canterbury to see Read's unbeaten 150 but the notable absentee was Duncan Fletcher. It was Fletcher who initially stated his preference for Jones when Read, so faultless with the gloves, struggled with the bat during his 11 Tests and was famously bowled by Chris Cairns' slower ball.

"Chris has done really well," Graveney added. "It has been said that he does not get enough runs - but since he was left out of the team he averages 50 in the first-class game. He got a fantastic hundred at Canterbury."