Jones surprised at recall

Geraint Jones: 'The early timing of finding out was a good one for me but I feel for Chris in that regard' © Getty Images

For the second time in his career Geraint Jones has stolen England's wicketkeeping spot out of Chris Read's gloves. The Ashes warm-up matches had barely begun when Duncan Fletcher, the England coach, showed his hand in usually early fashion by announcing that Jones would line up for the first Test at Brisbane.

"Chris had the gloves at the end of the summer, I thought the first two weeks would be crucial and I was hoping I could push my point strongly enough that I'd be included," Jones said before England left Adelaide. "The early timing of finding out was a good one for me but I feel for Chris in that regard, it gave me a chance to get my head around it."

The move has echoes of Jones's first international call-up, during the 2003-04 tour of West Indies, when he made his debut in the final Test at Antigua despite Read playing his part in England winning the first three matches. But on that occasion Read hadn't contributed with the bat so couldn't have been too surprised at his omission. However, two Test matches ago Read struck his first half-century as England wrapped up the series against Pakistan at Headingley and his 55 was sandwiched between two useful 30s.

But Jones reaffirmed that the current situation is not affecting his working relationship with Read. "It was difficult for him when he found out I was playing, and I felt for him in that regard, but other than that we still workout in the gym together, we're basically friends. There's nothing personal between us, we know that, and when he was included last summer I sent him a text to say good luck and go well, there's nothing between us, it's a selection thing."