Jones enjoys an outstanding Test debut

Simon Jones enjoyed an outstanding debut with both bat and ball in Test cricket during England`s 170 run victory over India at Lord`s.

On Friday, Jones marked his international debut with a most entertaining 44 off just 43 balls, with seven fours and one towering six that after the match was adjudged the champagne moment of the match by the B.B.C. Test Match Special commentary team.

As the table below shows, it was the also the best score a Glamorgan player had ever made in their first ever innings for England in Test cricket, and remarkably, Simon in the course of his debut innings scored more runs for England than his father Jeff made in 17 knocks in Tests between 1964 and 1968.

On Saturday, Simon produced a most impressive spell, and might have dismissed Sachin Tendulkar with only his second ball of the morning, as the Indian maestro almost chopped the ball into his stumps. A few overs later, Jones` raw pace hurried Tendulkar into edging the ball into the slips, but Graham Thorpe spilled a catch inches above the turf.

Jones finally got the wicket his bowling deserved, as wicket-keeper Ajay Ratra slashed at a fast rising ball and edged into the safe gloves of Alec Stewart. Then Ajit Agarkar snicked a delivery from Jones into Andy Flintoff`s hands at second slip. As the table shows, Jim McConnon`s haul of 3-19 from 13 overs against Pakistan at Old Trafford in 1954 remains as the best bowling figures on debut for England in Test cricket.

DEBUT PERFORMANCES BY GLAMORGAN PLAYERS IN TESTS FOR ENGLAND

Maurice Turnbull 7 v New Zealand, 1929/30 Johnnie Clay Dnb and 0/30 v South Africa, 1935 Austin Matthews 2* and 1/52 v New Zealand, 1937 Allan Watkins 0 and 0/19 v Australai, 1948 Gilbert Parkhouse 0 v West Indies, 1950 Jim McConnon 5* and 3/19 v Pakistan, 1954 Peter Walker 9 and 0/13 v South Africa, 1960 Jeff Jones 5 and 0/48 v India, 1963/64 Tony Lewis 0 v India 1972/73 Greg Thomas 0 and 82/2 v West Indies, 1985/86 Matthew Maynard 3 v West Indies, 1988 Steve Watkin 2 and 2/55 v West Indies, 1991 Hugh Morris 3 v West Indies, 1991 Robert Croft 5* and 2/116 v Pakistan, 1996 Steve James 10 v South Africa, 1998

Simon picked up a further two wickets as England bowled out the tourists on Monday afternoon. As well as a place in the Test record books, Simon`s hostile bowling won a host of plaudits from the media.

Peter Roebuck, the former Somerset captain, also wrote "he continually pushed the batsmen back and troubled them with pace and hostility. Nobody looked comfortable against him. His best deliveries are hard to play and he must go to Australia.

Former England captain Mike Atherton also said "On first showing his selection for the winter tour is assured."