Simon Jones - 'I nearly quit Glamorgan'

Simon Jones has revealed how close he came to quitting Glamorgan, after the county finally persuaded him to sign a new three-year contract which will secure his long-term future at the club. During England's tour of Zimbabwe Jones had expressed his frustration about the lack of one-day opportunities coming his way, and the deal was only sealed after a summit meeting with the captain, Robert Croft.

"I never wanted to leave Glamorgan but I would have done if I had to," Jones told the Sporting Life website, adding that he had contemplated moves to Surrey, Worcestershire and Hampshire. "Glamorgan is my county and I'm a proud Welshman, but in the end cricket is my job and I have to secure my future."

Jones, who holds a 12-month central contract and is therefore paid by England and not Glamorgan, finalised the deal on his return from holiday in Singapore. Mike Fatkin, Glamorgan's chief executive was understandably delighted: "We're pleased that Simon sees his future with us and that he believes he can fulfil his potential with us. It's great news."

Jones, 26, took 15 wickets during the Test series against South Africa at 26.66 and formed an important part of the attack as Steve Harmison's form dipped. However, he is currently on the fringe of the one-day team after playing two games against Zimbabwe, and being on standby while Harmison recovered from injury at the start of the one-day series against South Africa.

He felt his progress in limited-overs cricket was being hindered by not being a regular in Glamorgan's one-day team, and told Croft as much when the two met. "Crofty said he wanted to give me a senior role in the team which meant a lot more responsibility," said Jones. "And that means taking the new ball and more opportunities in one-day cricket. It's all about a fresh start."

In five years Jones has only played 12 one-day matches, bowling 90 overs and claiming seven wickets at over 71 apiece - although that lack of games can be partly attributed to his central contract. In his early days he was a tearaway quick bowler, but since returning from the knee injury he sustained at Brisbane in November 2002 he has added more control to compensate for a reduction in pace.

"It's a big, big season for Glamorgan what with us being in the first division of both league competitions," Jones added. "With Michael Kasprowicz unlikely to be with us that means there is more responsibility falling on the home-grown bowlers."