Jones faces tough test

Simon Jones's hopes of making the full England tour of the West Indies will be given their most serious test yet this weekend when the A side begin their first-class leg in India.

Jones, who is currently on standby for the Caribbean, is likely to play in the four-day game against Tamil Nadu at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, which begins tomorrow.

Since Jones tore his cruciate ligaments in the Brisbane Test in November 2002, he has been on the sidelines working his way back to fitness. He suffered stiffness after bowling only 13 overs in two matches in Malaysia before the team arrived in India.

However, after plenty of treatment to get fit for the final two one-dayers of the three-match series with India A, he bowled at about 90% of his full pace without further discomfort.

"We were being cautious and didn't expect any reaction," insisted Stuart Osbourne, England A's physio. "He's good as gold."