Mahmood gives Gatting hope

Sajid Mahmood

Mike Gatting believes Sajid Mahmood can emulate Simon Jones and play a vital role in a successful Ashes campaign for England.

Jones tormented Australia with his late reverse swing in the dramatic 2005 series victory but misses the trip down under as he continues his recovery from a knee injury.

Mahmood has played just five Tests for England, with a best return of 4-22 in the victory over Pakistan at Headingley Carnegie this summer.

But Gatting has seen enough to know the tall 24-year-old has the potential on hard and fast pitches to ask serious questions of the Australia batsmen.

“Sajid is the one I will be watching for,” said Gatting, the last England captain to win the Ashes in Australia.

“Like Simon Jones was an integral part of our win last year, Sajid needs to be bowling well.

“He needs to get more consistent in his spells but he has the capability to do it.

"He has the height and pace. He is six foot-odd and bowls at 90 miles per hour.”