Geraint Jones - the forgotten man

[Penguinissimo]

Although Matt Prior's development with the gloves has slightly stifled the Great English Wicketkeeping Debate, lists are still regularly compiled of possible alternative keepers in various forms of the game. Steven Davies, James Foster, Craig Kieswetter, Tim Ambrose, Chris Read and Nic Pothas all have their supporters.

But what about Geraint Jones? Re-invented as a number 3 for Kent, he has had a storming season with the bat and his keeping has matured well. After all, as you will recall, he was eventually dropped from the England side for his form with the bat, not the gloves.

And now he could, based on this season's performance, make a case for inclusion in future England squads not only as a keeper, but as a specialist batsman also.

Jones has made 1212 first class runs this season. That is only 114 less than Jonathan Trott, England's new Test batting hero and 71 more than Ian Bell (in 4 fewer innings, both batting at 3).

138 more than his county captain Rob Key, who was backed by many for a place in the Oval Test. 214 more than Kieswetter, who many see as a shoo-in once he qualifies. 279 more than Read. 382 more than Davies, 383 more than Foster. 512 more than Pothas, Shane Warne's pick. A massive 623 more than Ambrose, who was apparently going to get the call if Prior hadn't made it at Headingley.

Not only has he not got a place in a squad, or a Lions match, or anything England-related - that can happen to anyone for all sorts of reasons, just ask Hoggard or Ramprakash. Nobody has even breathed his name in the countless Ashes columns that have been written, or in any other context as far as I can tell.

I think Jones has earned another chance - certainly another chance to be considered by the selectors. They could do a lot worse for a reserve keeper / reserve batsman to take on tour to South Africa - and not a lot better.

 

[sledger]

Much as I like Geraint, his time is up. Bringing him back in now would just hinder the chances of younger players like Davies and Kieswetter who will surely be given a good go the next time a chance arises. Geraint was better than his figures suggest for mine, but he had enough chances, and there is no way you could pick him as a specialist batsman.

 

[BoyBrumby]

Who?

sorry.

 

[GIMH]

yes

 

[Pothas]

Jones has made 1212 first class runs this season. That is only 114 less than Jonathan Trott, England's new Test batting hero and 71 more than Ian Bell (in 4 fewer innings, both batting at 3).

138 more than his county captain Rob Key, who was backed by many for a place in the Oval Test. 214 more than Kieswetter, who many see as a shoo-in once he qualifies. 279 more than Read. 382 more than Davies, 383 more than Foster. 512 more than Pothas, Shane Warne's pick. A massive 623 more than Ambrose, who was apparently going to get the call if Prior hadn't made it at Headingley.

.

Pothas has played 10 less innings than Geriant Jones due to injury, in the 13 innings he has managed Pothas has scored 700 runs at an average of 77. I am not saying Jones has not done well but considering his runs have come in the second division it is hard to argue that he has had a better season than Pothas.
As for the wider point, yes he has done well but I don't think many people would seriously beleive him capable of performing at number 3 in test matches. He had his chance and was given a good run in the side (something never given to Read or Foster) and was proved lacking in quality. His time should be well and truely over.

 

[Penguinissimo]

Pothas has played 10 less innings than Geriant Jones due to injury, in the 13 innings he has managed Pothas has scored 700 runs at an average of 77. I am not saying Jones has not done well but considering his runs have come in the second division it is hard to argue that he has had a better season than Pothas.

Fair point - I was a bit drunk on stats by then. The ones vs Key and Bell are valid, though.

As for the wider point, yes he has done well but I don't think many people would seriously beleive him capable of performing at number 3 in test matches.

I'm not saying he could be a Test 3 - I'm not insane. But he's a lot more likely than Ambrose (who seems to be the current reserve choice) to be a Test 6 and therefore direct replacement for Prior.

 

[kingkallis]

Also Geraint was promoted @ No.3 / 4 and thats where he is playing those big innings. Compare it with other wickeys who dont get the chance to bat that higher!

He is in good form, agreed! But the chance should be given to Kieswetter or Davies who has age on their side...

 

[zaremba]

Good post, Penguinissimo. I wouldn't be backing him particularly, but you've made me stop and think at least.

 

[BoyBrumby]

I think Geraint is probably yesterday's man now. Despite still looking like he barely needs to shave he's actually 33. Moreover the test keeper debate has been put to bed for a series or two at least and Geraint was never much of limited overs player. Davies should tour as our #2 test keeper this winter and be given an extended run in the abbreviated formats.

It somehow typifies the bollock-headed thinking that seems to abound from our august selectors that young Steven was given one T20i in which he duly top-scored and hasn't yet been granted another go.

 

[fredfertang]

These selectors have made it clear there's no room for sentimentality on their watch - and in fairness to them they got it spectacularly right - though maybe we'll need Ramps this winter to deal with Dale Steyn

 

[tooextracool]

Although Matt Prior's development with the gloves has slightly stifled the Great English Wicketkeeping Debate, lists are still regularly compiled of possible alternative keepers in various forms of the game. Steven Davies, James Foster, Craig Kieswetter, Tim Ambrose, Chris Read and Nic Pothas all have their supporters.

But what about Geraint Jones? Re-invented as a number 3 for Kent, he has had a storming season with the bat and his keeping has matured well. After all, as you will recall, he was eventually dropped from the England side for his form with the bat, not the gloves.

And now he could, based on this season's performance, make a case for inclusion in future England squads not only as a keeper, but as a specialist batsman also.

Jones has made 1212 first class runs this season. That is only 114 less than Jonathan Trott, England's new Test batting hero and 71 more than Ian Bell (in 4 fewer innings, both batting at 3).

138 more than his county captain Rob Key, who was backed by many for a place in the Oval Test. 214 more than Kieswetter, who many see as a shoo-in once he qualifies. 279 more than Read. 382 more than Davies, 383 more than Foster. 512 more than Pothas, Shane Warne's pick. A massive 623 more than Ambrose, who was apparently going to get the call if Prior hadn't made it at Headingley.

Not only has he not got a place in a squad, or a Lions match, or anything England-related - that can happen to anyone for all sorts of reasons, just ask Hoggard or Ramprakash. Nobody has even breathed his name in the countless Ashes columns that have been written, or in any other context as far as I can tell.

I think Jones has earned another chance - certainly another chance to be considered by the selectors. They could do a lot worse for a reserve keeper / reserve batsman to take on tour to South Africa - and not a lot better.

The problem with that is that Geraint has had one good season (in Div 2 I might add), which by the way was the exact same basis on which he was initially picked to play in the England side. 1 good season after years and years of failures in domestic and international cricket at an age of 33 is hardly something to jump up and down about.

There has to be more reason to pick someone, other than the fact that he is an Ashes winner and Geraint had about as much of a role in England regaining the urn in 2005 as Paul Collingwood.

 

[BoyBrumby]

There has to be more reason to pick someone, other than the fact that he is an Ashes winner and Geraint had about as much of a role in England regaining the urn in 2005 as Paul Collingwood.

Not quite true, tbh. Scored 85 and was a part of a 150+ stand with Fred at Trent Bridge that set up the win there.

Plus, of course "Jones! Bowden!", etc.

 

[Zinzan]

Jones has made 1212 first class runs this season. That is only 114 less than Jonathan Trott, England's new Test batting hero and 71 more than Ian Bell (in 4 fewer innings, both batting at 3).

138 more than his county captain Rob Key, who was backed by many for a place in the Oval Test. 214 more than Kieswetter, who many see as a shoo-in once he qualifies. 279 more than Read. 382 more than Davies, 383 more than Foster. 512 more than Pothas, Shane Warne's pick. A massive 623 more than Ambrose, who was apparently going to get the call if Prior hadn't made it at Headingley.
r.

That's all good & well on the face of it, but did all those players you've compared to Jones bat a similar number of innings?

 

[Uppercut]

As far as I'm concerned Nic Pothas is far and away the best wicket-keeper batsman in the country. There's plenty of good reasons for not picking him, but he's undoubtedly the best IMO.

 

[morgieb]

Haha. Would love for this to happen.

 

[Penguinissimo]

That's all good & well on the face of it, but did all those players you've compared to Jones bat a similar number of innings?

Jones 24 inns, Bell 28, Kieswetter 22, Key 24, Davies 28, Read 19, Trott 23

So no big differences apart from Read.

 

[S Chanderpaul]

Jones has scored these against useless Division 2 bowlers.

Chris Read is the real forgotten man and should be next in line. He's scored 1008 runs at an average of 77 in Division 1.

 

[Penguinissimo]

Chris Read is the real forgotten man and should be next in line.

I don't think anyone could possibly have forgotten about him. I have never seen a discussion of the England keeper's spot which doesn't mention his name. He had a few chances and wasn't that great - his batting in particular never convinced at international level.

 

[Athlai]

I don't think anyone could possibly have forgotten about him. I have never seen a discussion of the England keeper's spot which doesn't mention his name. He had a few chances and wasn't that great - his batting in particular never convinced at international level.

Aren't you arguing for Jones? Same could be said of him.

 

[S Chanderpaul]

I don't think anyone could possibly have forgotten about him. I have never seen a discussion of the England keeper's spot which doesn't mention his name. He had a few chances and wasn't that great - his batting in particular never convinced at international level.

In terms of the media, selectors etc he never seems to be mentioned.

Despite averaging the most for a wicket keeper this season, his name was not mentioned once when Athers, Butcher, Bob and Donald were discussing keepers for the upcoming South Africa tour!