Cricket

While most of his teammates prepare for the upcoming World Cup, dumped English wicketkeeper Geraint Jones will see out the summer playing as a batsman for his old side in Australian grade cricket.

Overlooked by England's selectors for both their triangular one-day series team and 30-man provisional World Cup squad, despite initially being their preferred Test wicketkeeper as they sought to retain the Ashes, it seems Jones's international career is over.

Just two months after arriving in Australia full of hope of being part of a successful Ashes defence and a World Cup campaign in the West Indies, the Queensland-raised Jones has agreed to play for his former grade cricket side, Beenleigh-Logan, in Brisbane.

Jones, who will make his unex-

pected comeback for Beenleigh-Logan against Northern Suburbs the day after England tackles Australia in Brisbane in a one-day international, said he wanted to maintain his fitness for the upcoming county season with Kent.

"The opportunity was there for me to play some cricket here after the Ashes so I'm pleased to be able to get some playing time with Beenleigh ahead of the coming summer with Kent," Jones said in a statement.

"The club has got itself in a position to possibly win a trophy this season so hopefully I can help out.

"It's nice to be back where I started and good to catch up with some familiar faces."

The well-travelled Jones played with Beenleigh-Logan before moving to England in 2002, where his career took off and he won Test selection, culminating in his key role in England's historic 2005 Ashes triumph.