Simon Jones' Verdict on England's Ashes Chances

19 Jun 2015 | Cricket
Former Glamorgan and England fast bowler Simon Jones believes the current England bowling line-up has the potential to eclipse the famous five-pronged attack that sealed the famous 2005 Ashes win.
Jones, whose last England test cap came in the win at Trent Bridge in the 2005 series, played for Glamorgan as recently as the 2013 season before retirement, and says things are looking up for England after a dismal winter.

He compared the current crop of England bowlers to the 2005 vintage, noting their balance and variety, as Alastair Cook's men seek to regain the Ashes, beginning on July 8 at The SSE SWALEC.

In any bowling attack you need variety and that's what we had in 2005, said Jones. Ashley Giles would hold an end up, bowl some magic balls and do some serous donkey work to give us a rest.

Matthew Hoggard would pitch the ball up and swing it, I could reverse swing the ball at pace and Andrew (Flintoff) and Steve (Harmison) were quick, tall and bouncy. We all bounced off each other and played different roles in the attack.

And the emergence of Mark Wood onto the international stage has boosted England's hopes, according to Jones, who stressed the importance of James Anderson and Stuart Broad's experience.

Jones said: Variety is essential with this England attack now. Jimmy (Anderson) and Mark Wood will pitch the ball up and swing it and Stuart Broad is 6ft 6 and bowls with pace and hits the pitch hard.

The 36-year-old also backed off-spinner Moeen Ali as the best man to lead the spin attack.

Adil Rashid might come into play but I don't think Moeen has done anything wrong to warrant him losing his place. Moeen batting at eight means we've got a ridiculously long batting line-up but we might need that throughout the summer. I think the team looks good.

He added: They've got to go in there and show positivity and intent and the Aussies might be a bit taken aback by how well England play. I was worried at the start of the summer but after the test series and one-day series (with New Zealand), England are starting to look really good.

Limited tickets are still available for the fourth and fifth days of the Test match at The SSE SWALEC click here for more information or to see the Test Match in style find out more about our hospitality packages.