Simon Jones on the comeback trail

Simon Jones, the England fast bowler who ruptured his knee ligaments on the first day of the Ashes series last November, has made an impressive recovery from reconstructive surgery, and intends to play for Glamorgan's second XI on August 6.

Jones suffered the injury while sliding to prevent a boundary on the first morning of the Brisbane Test last year. He had made a good impression up to that point, bowling with pace and picking up the early wicket of Justin Langer, but when his studs snagged in the sandy outfield, his knee took the full weight of his body and left him needing an operation to rescue his career.

When Jones turns out for Glamorgan's second XI at Panteg, it will be almost nine months to the day since the injury, but if he proves his fitness in that match, he could even return to first-class action at Sophia Gardens the following week.

Jones has had to watch the likes of James Anderson, Richard Johnson and Steve Harmison move ahead of him in England's pecking order. But Duncan Fletcher, Jones's former coach at Glamorgan, has long rated his potential, and if his knee holds up, he could soon be pushing his way back into the reckoning.