Jones heads for Papua New Guinea

Geraint Jones: heading for the land of his birth © Getty Images

As his former team-mates prepare to jet off to the Caribbean for the World Cup, England's discarded wicketkeeper, Geraint Jones, is about to head in the other direction. He is heading for the country of his birth, Papua New Guinea, as part of a 17-man MCC touring squad.

The MCC, the world's most active cricket club, will play three matches against the Papua New Guinea national team, including a Twenty20 encounter. The players will then transfer their attentions to New Zealand, where they are set to play four matches in Christchurch and Queenstown, before moving on to Auckland for the final two-day game of the tour.

After his dispiriting Ashes campaign, which effectively ended after the Ashes had been surrendered in the third Test at Perth, Jones returned to Brisbane where he helped his former club Beenleigh-Logan (with whom he had been a regular before moving permanently to England in 2002) reach their first grade final since 1998.

"I am really looking forward to visiting Papua New Guinea and New Zealand with MCC," said Jones. "I'm back among the runs at club level and am hoping to make some more on tour. I believe the England wicketkeeper's job is still up for grabs and scoring runs for MCC, and for Kent, can put my name in the frame."

The squad also includes Jones county colleague, the England A offspinner James Tredwell, as well as three members of the Glamorgan first team - Michael Powell, David Harrison, and Mark Wallace. Mark Lawson, the Yorkshire and England Under-19 legspinner, and Simon Hawk, formerly of Durham UCCE, are other notable inclusions.

"I am delighted that so many professional players, including Geraint Jones, have made themselves available for this tour," said John Stephenson, MCC's Head of Cricket. "I'm sure that the younger guys will enjoy playing alongside such experienced cricketers, and will benefit greatly from it."

MCC last toured New Zealand in 2002, and Papua New Guinea in 2003. The Club will donate $3,750, in partnership with the International Cricket Council, to the authorities in Papua New Guinea for investment in the local cricket infrastructure.

Tour party Mark Rollinson (manager), Luke Marshall (capt), Ben Claypole, Danny Evans, Matthew Eyles, David Harrison, Simon Hawk, Geraint Jones, Ronnie Kotkamp, Mark Lawson, Scott McHardy, Michael Powell, James Tredwell, Mark Wallace, Peter Heseltine (physio), Barrie Leadbeater (umpire), Don Shelley (scorer)