Jones not fazed by Prior presence

Geraint Jones has become accustomed to dealing with pressure this year, after a hit-and-miss Ashes series in which he contributed some of the most vital runs and catches of the summer, but also threw in his fair share of bloopers. So he was unfazed at the prospect of sharing the keeping duties with his new rival for the role, Matt Prior, as England prepared to give all 14 members of their line-up a chance to impress in Monday's warm-up fixture in Rawalpindi.

"If that's the way that Fletch [Duncan Fletcher] wants to go, then I'd like to think I'd get first chance to have a look at the conditions," Jones told reporters at the team hotel in Islamabad. "But if we get the chance to try out as many of the lads as possible, then I'm sure we'll jump at that opportunity."

For Jones, the prospect of a first Test on the subcontinent is an enticing one. He toured Bangladesh and Sri Lanka two winters ago, but did little more than mix the drinks for two months as England persevered with the purists' choice, Chris Read. Now, however, Jones is the man in possession, and given that Prior is a cricketer of a similar ilk - pugnacious batsman first, gloveman second - only a devastating loss of form seems likely to prompt a change ahead of the first Test in Multan, a fortnight from now.

"The pressure is there," Jones conceded. "Matt's been brought in and he's done well, so I have to be aware that there's some competition. But it's encouraging that we are similar players. It's the nature of the game these days, throughout the world. Runs are imperative, but keeping standards have to be up there as well.

"For me it's about making most of my opportunity," he added. "I've been a part of a great and successful side, and I want to make sure I stay in that side. I want to be a part of this journey that the guys are on."

For Jones, the preparation for this tour began not long after the last drop of Ashes champagne had been consumed. By working with Peter Moores at the ECB Academy, and back home in the nets at Kent, he set about readying himself for the different challenges that are encountered on a trip to the subcontinent.

The recall of Mushtaq Ahmed to the Pakistan squad is a fair indication of the type of pitches England will encounter. "I've heard a rumour they might turn, so I anticipate a lot more time up to the stumps," said Jones. "You have to prepare yourself for lower, sharper catches, which is something I've identified with Matt. Because of the low skiddy bounce, any nicks come fairly quickly. We've worked on this in slip practices, so we're very aware of how they'll come."

Ashley Giles is sure to be England's primary spinner, but the man making the biggest strides in the nets is Alex Loudon, whom Jones knows well from his days in the Kent 2nds. This morning, Loudon bowled Marcus Trescothick with what may or may not have been that mysterious doosra, but Jones for one was impressed. "It's great to see the progression he's made. If he gets the chance, he'll be great to keep to, because when the bowler is beating batsmen on both sides of the bat, it keeps you in the game all the time.

"It's definitely an advantage that I've seen him before," he added. "The ones he's bowled me in the nets so far I've managed to pick. But I'm impressed with the way he's developed his game since he left Kent, and he can definitely push for an international spot."

For Jones, the Ashes were now firmly consigned to history, although the camaraderie that had been a feature of England's summer was still very much on show. "A tour like this definitely brings the team together," he stressed. "We're all on the same floor of the hotel, and there's been a lot of team-time together. It's a great boost when you know the boys are with you, because you just continue playing your natural game. If you know you've got the backing of your team-mates, ultimately that's what's most important."