Jones predicts rosy future

Geraint Jones claims England have good cause to be pleased © Getty Images

Geraint Jones believes England's ongoing injury woes may be aiding their progression as a Test force.

England go into the first npower Test against Sri Lanka at Lord's this week without a handful of the players selected in Ashes squads last summer, including captain Michael Vaughan and pace bowlers Steve Harmison and Simon Jones.

Last summer's success over Australia was based around continuity of selection, with only a dozen players employed over the five Tests and only one change made at all.

This past winter proved a stark contrast, however, as six players made Test debuts in Pakistan and India in an ever-changing team.

"It has been that way since the end of the Ashes," said Jones, one of the few constants in the XI.

"The first four Tests against Australia showed what we can do as a side.

"It has been disjointed since with people coming and going, but in terms of the future that is a good thing. It shows we are creating a good depth to our squad.

"People have stepped in and done well when they have played and so, although it is disappointing we are missing the quality of players we are, it is rather rosy at the moment, not bleak."

England were stung by Pakistan in the aftermath of the 2-1 Ashes victory and eyes must be kept on the present rather than peer to a horizon which contains a tour down under and a Caribbean World Cup.

"All the talk is of the Ashes and the World Cup but as players we have to focus on what is going on in the summer," Jones, 29, said.

"Sri Lanka are a dangerous side. Any Test side can beat any other on its day and we will have to be wary.

"Everywhere we go now we are talked about as the Ashes-winning side so every team wants to claim our scalp.

"The next best thing to beating the Aussies is beating the side that won the Ashes.

"The biggest thing going into the Ashes this coming November is to make sure we have a good summer behind us.

"I felt terrible coming away from that tour of Pakistan because winning is something I have become accustomed to in my England career."