Jones keeping critics quiet

Geraint Jones will enter the third Test in Lahore on Tuesday full of confidence after two of his most convincing performances for England. Jones began the series under pressure following failures in the warm-up matches and with the presence of Matt Prior in the squad. However, he has provided vital runs and produced tidy displays behind the stumps.

Jones certainly played his part in the Ashes success, and he is a favourite with Duncan Fletcher, but an average of 25.44 coupled with his missed chances with the gloves still left his position in the team as one of the most hotly debated issues.

After making 4,0,0 and 30 in the warm-up matches to this tour he needed to make a strong statement. He chipped in at Multan with 22 and 33 and was then a key player at Faisalabad. Without his scores of 55 and 30 not out England would probably have lost the match - and with it the series.

"After the first Test I wasn't quite happy with my batting, even though I got good starts. I worked hard in between, and it paid off in this last Test," Jones told the Press Association. "I felt I was just falling over a bit, so I rectified that between the Tests. After being bowled in those two warm-up matches, I knew the Pakistan side would target me. They did that in the first Test and got me out twice."

Not only has Jones' batting stabilised the lower-order his glovework has been tidy. He has conceded 10 byes in four innings, which is a commendable performance considering the occasional low bounce he has had to deal with.

"If I'm batting well generally the wicketkeeping goes a lot better - and vice-versa. They go hand in hand," he said. The wicketkeeping is one aspect I'm really happy with. I made a few adjustments before I came away, mainly crouching down as my first position - which I grew up doing but had stopped. That's worked really well. I feel comfortable with it, and it's really paying off in the middle."

He missed a tough leg-side chance off Ian Bell at Faisalabad, but overall the extra work Jones has put into his keeping is showing benefits. "I think the biggest thing with wicketkeeping is being relaxed and having that confidence.

"That is something that's really clicked, and I think it's showing in the Tests with the way I'm catching the ball and moving. I've batted well and kept well - so reviewing the last match and going into this one, I have a lot of confidence."