Paceman Simon Jones admits he feels fitter than ever and is confident of regaining his place in the England side.
Pace ace in confident mood ahead of new season
Simon Jones admits he feels fitter than ever and is confident of regaining his place in the England side.
The Welshman, who left Glamorgan at the end of the last season for a move to Worcestershire, is hoping to prove to the England selectors his injury problems are finally behind him.
The 29-year-old has not represented England since the 2005 Ashes victory and has played in only five county championship matches in the interim.
However, Jones has been steadily increasing his pace in the Pears warm-up matches and is confident he will soon be terrorising county batsmen, starting with next week's curtain-raiser against Warwickshire.
"I've been frustrated since the Ashes win," he said. "You want to play cricket and you keep getting these little injuries. There is nothing you can do about it.
"You have to learn to deal with it and stay as positive as you can. I've worked hard in the winter and I feel as good as I have ever done. I've played all the warm-up games and I've had no twinges at all.
"I see no reason why I shouldn't be bowling at full throttle by the time the season starts and I'm very confident at the moment.
"You have got to back yourself to bowl as well as you can. I know that if I am going to get back in with England that people are going to want to see me bowl a lot of overs and to be consistent.
"There is always a place up for grabs. There are four bowlers in there at the moment but no-one's place is for certain. You only need one bad game and the doubts creep in.
"I'm confident I can get back in the England side if I can show what I am capable of.
"But at the moment I am just trying to play a full county season and, if that gets me back in the England side, then so be it."
