Jones returns for Worcs

Jones is desperate to play a prolonged spell for his new county

Worcestershire’s pace attack is strengthened by the return of Simon Jones for the LV County Championship Division Two clash with Northamptonshire at Wantage Road.

The former Glamorgan and England fast bowler missed the four-day game with Leicestershire and Friends Provident Trophy matches with Gloucestershire and Somerset after suffering a stiff neck in Worcestershire’s opening championship draw with Warwickshire two weeks ago.

But Jones’ name is added to the XI that played out the draw with Leicestershire last week, in a 12-man squad that hope to heap further misery on Northants after two successive championship defeats.

Worcestershire chief executive Mark Newton said: “What Simon has got is similar to a whiplash injury that you can suffer in a car crash. It just takes time to get better.

“He had a fitness test for the Somerset match and just didn’t quite make it but it is hopeful he will be fit to play this week against Northants.

“Simon has been very frustrated and is desperate to start playing again.”

Star batsman Graeme Hick is omitted from the squad, having undergone a minor operation on his elbow to remove fragments of cartilage.

Another fast bowler, Matt Mason, misses out, but he is due to start his comeback from a lengthy shoulder problem in tomorrow’s second XI game with the MCC Young Cricketers at Bromsgrove.

The Australian was able to play only one four-day game last season because of the setback and has recently been working with England Lions bowling coach Kevin Shine.

Newton said: “Matt is also desperate to play and is about him finding his confidence and pace again. We all know how integral part of the attack he has been for the county.”

Johann Louw joins a bowler-heavy Northamptonshire squad looking to bounce back from their demoralising championship defeat to Warwickshire.

Warwickshire successfully chased down 383 in less than 83 overs on a thrilling final day, securing victory in the last over off the bowling of the Northants captain, Nicky Boje.

Louw is one of seven frontline bowlers named in a 12-man squad, and looks set to offer much-needed new-ball ammunition for his county, only five days after experiencing defeat in the Standard Bank Pro20 Series final for Dolphins in his native South Africa.

He replaces all-rounder Steven Crook, who strained his hamstring after 3.4 overs in the four-day match, and will be out for a week.

Rob White will be looking to kick on after scoring a match-winning 111 as the Steelbacks exacted a degree of revenge over the Bears in Sunday’s Friends Provident Trophy game that followed the championship defeat.

Riki Wessels retains the gloves for four-day cricket, despite Niall O’Brien keeping wicket in the Trophy win.