Jones targets England recall

Geraint Jones drives on his way to 105 for Kent © Getty Images

Geraint Jones is hoping to carry on “piling up” the runs to try to regain the England place he lost last winter.

The former Test wicket-keeper was one of three Kent centurions in a home total of 550 for nine declared on day two of the LV County Championship Division One match against Warwickshire at Canterbury.

As he reflected on his 105 - Martin van Jaarsveld (117) and Yasir Arafat (101 not out) were the other Kent players to reach three figures - he acknowledged it will be difficult to climb above the likes of Matthew Prior in the wicket-keeper-batsman pecking order.

But that will not stop 31-year-old Jones trying - and after his second hundred of the summer had taken him to 425 championship runs so far in 2007, he spelled out his intentions.

Asked whether he can hope to return to the England team, he said: “It’s something I’d love to do.

“Realistically, it’s a winter tour - and to do that I just have to pile the runs on in the second half of the year.

“It’s a fantastic start today - and I’ve got another eight games to go. I hope there’s more to come.”

Jones acknowledges applause for his century © Getty Images

Kent cashed in on Jones’ and others’ runs by reducing their visitors to 43 for two by stumps - the last wicket a caught-behind for Jones standing up to off-spinner James Tredwell.

But he accepts it is going to be a long haul if Kent are to close out a victory on a true surface.

“It’s a very good pitch,” he confirmed.

“For us to get to 500, we had to work hard early on - and taking those two wickets tonight has put us among them a little bit.

“But there aren’t too many demons in it - and with the batters they have to come, it’s going to be a hard slog.”

None of that could take away Jones’ personal satisfaction, however, after a 149-ball hundred which contained plenty of his trademark fluency - through the off-side in particular.

“Especially after the Twenty20 season - where you have a few weeks not getting a consistent bat - to come in today and score a hundred was great,” he said.

“I took my time to get in. At the lunch break, I was only four or five off 30 odd balls.

“But it was something I’d set myself to do, to get in properly - and it’s very pleasing.”