Jones Takes 6 In Final Game

6 of the best
By Edward Hall
March 13 2002

Simon Jones finally produced the goods down under in the 4-day game against the Western Australia 2nd XI. The game is the last that the Academy will play this winter.

The ECB National Academy went onto win the game by 112 runs, thanks partly to Jones’ efforts in the first innings. He finished with the excellent figures of 19.3-7-48-6. He did not open the bowling, with Tudor, Kirby and Sidebottom all given a chance before him, but it was the Jones who routed the Western Australian middle order. He twice combined with Mark Wallace, once for a catch behind the wicket and once with a run out.

Western Australia were bowled all out for 279 in reply to the Academy’s huge first innings total of 413. Wallace was given a chance on the opening day by being promoted to number 6, and made 26. The Academy built on that first innings lead by scoring 274 for 2 in their second innings before declaring. Western Australia never looked like reaching the target of 409, but Jones could not increase his wicket tally for the match, although he was brought on first change instead of Sidebottom.

All of the Academy players return this Saturday, a month before the real cricket starts. The late winter performances by Jones and Wallace will be pleasing for everyone at Glamorgan.