Knee injury ends Simon`s tour

Simon Jones will return home from Australia in a couple of weeks time after sustaining a serious knee injury whilst fielding in the First Test of the Ashes series at Brisbane. The Welshman tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee and will be out of cricket for at least six months.

The day had begun well for Simon as England chose to field first on the opening day of the series. He took a wicket with only his ninth ball of the morning, as Justin Langer edged a delivery to wicket-keeper Alec Stewart.

But a few overs later, Simon`s luck changed as firstly he caught Matthew Hayden only to cross the boundary, and then he sustained the freak injury as he ran after a ball in the field. Simon`s studs appeared to get caught in the turf as he slid to stop the ball and he immediately collapsed to the ground, clutching his right knee.

Simon was carried from the field on a stretcher and taken to a local hospital where the injury was diagnosed. Over the next fortnight, he will receive specialist medical treatment at the E.C.B. Academy before returning home to the U.K.