Jones Called Into Academy

Jones, 24, has not played a first-class match since rupturing the cruciate ligament in his right knee during the first Ashes Test in Brisbane last November.

He incurred the horrific injury chasing a Ricky Ponting drive in the outfield at the Gabba and only recently returned to second XI action.

An ability to produce deliveries in excess of 90mph gained Jones, son of former England fast bowler Jeff, his Test debut last summer when he claimed four wickets in the win over India at Lord's and also struck a thrilling 44.

His selection in the 14-man academy intake, which will train in Loughborough before Christmas before embarking on tours to Malaysia and India between January and March, is the most significant.

Nottinghamshire duo Kevin Pietersen and Bilal Shafayat are both included as is promising Gloucestershire all-rounder Alex Gidman.

South African-born Pietersen does not qualify for England until next October while Shafayat captained the Under-19 side in Australia last winter.

Surrey batsman Scott Newman, 23, is also included despite not playing a single County Championship match this summer.

Squad: Kadeer Ali (Worcestershire), SRG Francis (Somerset), APR Gidman (Gloucestershire), SP Jones (Glamorgan), Shaftab Khalid (Worcestershire), MJ Lumb (Yorkshire), SI Mahmood (Lancashire), GR Napier (Essex), SA Newman (Surrey), KP Pietersen (Nottinghamshire), MJ Prior (Sussex), BM Shafayat (Nottinghamshire), JC Tredwell (Kent), GG Wagg (Warwickshire).

Discuss it on the message board!