Jones Needs Quick Delivery

Glamorgan's tearaway fast bowler Simon Jones was plunged into what amounts to virtually an old-fashioned Test trial last night as Nasser Hussain appealed for a bowler of raw pace to produce performances worthy of international recognition.

England's lack of penetration on an unexpectedly flat Lord's pitch condemned them to a face-saving draw against Sri Lanka in the first Test at Lord's and left their captain, Hussain, hankering after a quick bowler who could have summoned up some much needed hostility.

Although Hussain was too wise to name Jones specifically, the 23-year-old quick received a glowing report from the Academy coach Rod Marsh last winter, and he has the perfect opportunity to prove his worth against the Sri Lankans in the four-day match that begins in Cardiff on Thursday.

"Those in contention have to hold their hands up and perform in the cricket in which they are selected," Hussain said. "We have realised that we must work out how we are going to find the variety to take 20 wickets on a flat pitch."

Of the other young bowlers who can be classified as true quicks, Yorkshire's Steve Kirby has had an unimpressive start to the season, while Steve Harmison habitually irritates Durham observers by receiving almost as many England mentions as he takes wickets. He is injured, in any case.

Jones, son of the former England left-armer Jeff Jones, has also done little to advance his case since taking five wickets against Derbyshire at Cardiff a month ago.

With Dominic Cork, who injured his groin during Sri Lanka's first innings of 555 for eight declared, also described by Hussain as "about 70% fit", there is also an opportunity for Surrey's Alex Tudor to advance his candidature.

The flat Lord's wicket, particularly unexpected considering that this was the earliest start to an English Test in history, seemed to catch England's bowlers unawares. The disciplined approach that they produced in India last winter was lacking. It was almost as if they were unwilling to prove that a spring pitch in England could be so unforgiving.

"A more traditional England wicket would have been nice, for us to hide behind the fact that the ball moved around a bit," Hussain admitted. "Most bowling side sides in the world would have struggled.

"But if I picked the side again, I would not have chosen Ashley Giles. A spinner would not have given us anything else in the game."

Hussain fiercely rejected the widespread view that England went into this Test unprepared. "It was lack of discipline," he said. "If anything, bowling for your county on a juicy wicket takes the discipline out of you."

Nevertheless, England have released all contracted players for county duties before the Edgbaston Test. As well as the four Benson & Hedges quarter-finals over the next two days, beginning with Gloucestershire's tie against Worcestershire at Bristol today, they will also turn out in the five Frizzell championship matches and two C&G Trophy third-round ties on Friday. That involves every contracted player in competitive cricket apart from the injured James Foster and Darren Gough.

England did have the satisfaction of a staunch recovery, thanks in part to a century from Mark Butcher. Not only did they end Sri Lanka's run of nine successive Test victories, but their 529 for five was only the fifth occasion in Test history that England have scored more than 500 in their second innings.

Ironically, had they narrowly saved the Test, it might have been a cause for rejoicing; because they succeeded in saving it easily, everyone just yawned at the predictability.

Sri Lanka's captain Sanath Jayasuriya pronounced himself content and suggested that "with Murali it might have been different".

The fate of Ruchira Perera, whose bowling action has been widely questioned, should be announced today. The match referee Gundappa Viswanath was studying video tapes last night with the two umpires, Daryl Harper and Srinivas Venkataraghavan, to decide whether remedial action is necessary.