Injury ends Jones' season

Simon Jones faces up to a month on the sidelines as he prepares for knee surgery

Worcestershire pace bowler Simon Jones is unlikely to play again this season after it was revealed he requires knee surgery.

The injury-plagued seamer was forced to pull out of the England Lions squad for the first one-day tour match against South Africa last week.

It has since been confirmed he is suffering from cartilage damage, and faces an arthroscopy to clean up the troublesome joint.

Jones, who has made a huge impact at New Road since arriving from Glamorgan this season, is expected to be sidelined for between three and four weeks, effectively ending his campaign.

Worcestershire director of cricket Steve Rhodes said: “Simon has had a wonderful year with 42 first-class wickets at an average of 18.02 and a strike-rate of a wicket every 30 deliveries.

“The plan was to have Simon still playing in September. Whilst this has not quite been achieved, I am delighted with his contribution and the plan will be to rehab Simon in a way to get him back fitter and stronger for the cricket that lies ahead of him.”

Jones has not played for England since the 2005 Ashes, with a serious knee injury and subsequent niggles limiting him to just five County Championship appearances in two seasons before the current campaign.