England miss Jones - Waugh

Simon Jones © Getty Images

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Former Australia captain Steve Waugh believes England have struggled to find a replacement for injury-hit paceman Simon Jones.

Jones was one of the heroes of England’s 2-1 Ashes triumph in 2005 and picked up 18 wickets in the first four tests of that memorable series before missing the climax at the Brit Oval through injury.

But he has been dogged by knee problems for the majority of the time since that glorious summer and is now looking to rebuild his career with Worcestershire after moving from Glamorgan during the winter.

Waugh said: “I think what has been crucial for England is that they have been missing Simon Jones.

“When watching as an outsider you can see when someone’s got attitude and aggression and lifts the rest of the guys and Simon Jones fits that bill.

“I think he’s been a major loss. He played a big part in the Ashes win in England and, in terms of the tour of Australia last winter, I think the rest of the attack really missed his input.

“They missed that aggression and the way he handles himself on the field. He was the biggest loss and he hasn’t been back in the side since.

“Certain players can really get the guys going in the same way that Andrew Flintoff does and he has also been missing a lot since the Ashes win of 2005.

“England really need those kind of guys in the team.”

Jones has been building up his fitness during the winter in the nets at Edgbaston - Worcestershire do not have an indoor school - with his new county.

Worcestershire's director of cricket Steve Rhodes said: “Simon has been involved in the nets since early January. He is up here now three or four times a week training with the guys.

“He is looking in good shape and we are very pleased with the way he is bowling.”