England looking to Jones to deliver goods

Vaughan's men are banking on Simon Jones to do the trick against India where the paceman underwent a successful training stint.

England are banking on Simon Jones to do the trick against India where the paceman underwent a successful training stint recently to get an idea of how to bowl in sub-continental conditions with SG balls.

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England coach Duncan Fletcher said paceman Jones' comeback from an ankle surgery and his recent stint had lifted the spirits of the team which is set to arrive in India on Monday for a two-month tour.

"Simon's a major component of the side. He has just returned from training in India and reported that he managed to swing the local SG balls that will be used in the Tests," he told reporters.

"He is also the skiddy type of fast bowler who can succeed on sub-continental pitches — as Jason Gillespie with 20 wickets at 16.2 demonstrated when Australia last played, and won in India 15 months ago.

"When you come to your second-change bowler and he's bowling at 90mph, it's a huge advantage. It has been quite useful him going out early. He's got some idea of what to do with the ball already," he said.

England, who lost to Pakistan on their away tour late last year, are eager to make amends for that defeat which came on the heels of a historic Ashes triumph.

Michael Vaughan's men are slated to play three Tests and seven one-dayers on the tour.

Jones' return will lighten Andrew Flintoff's heavy all-round workload and should require them to field only one spinner.