Simon Jones to miss warm-up match

Simon Jones has been ruled out of England A's warm-up match against the Karnataka State Cricket Association, which begins today. According to the Telegraph, Jones, who came back from a 14-month layoff after seriously injuring his right knee in Australia, bowled 13 overs in two warm-up matches in Malaysia last week, but the exertions left his knee swollen and sore.

The good news is that the setback is only a minor one. Rod Marsh, the coach of the team, informed that resting Jones was only a precautionary move. "I'm not overly concerned and he probably could play, but he hasn't bowled off his full run yet and we want him to be right before he does that." It is expected that Jones will be fit to play the three one-dayers against India A and the Duleep Trophy matches. His performance in those matches would probably decide if Jones gets a berth in England's squad for the tour to the West Indies.

Of greater concern was Alex Gidman's slow recovery from the injury he sustained during training in Loughborough in December. Gidman, the captain of the side, broke his finger and is still unable to grip the bat, making him an unlikely starter for the one-day series.