Still to Early for Simon Jones

That a winning side should never be changed may be one of the more overrated adages in sport but it is one to which the England selectors intend to adhere today when they announce their squad for the third and final Test against Sri Lanka at Old Trafford, starting on Thursday.

The injury to Mark Butcher's left knee, which will require an arthroscopy in the near future but is unlikely to prevent him from playing, and the possibility of disciplinary action following his refusal to pay a fine for calling Ruchira Perera a thrower in a newspaper column, has done little to upset the plans.

Unless the pitch is knee-deep in grass England will play the same balance as at Edgbaston with John Crawley, omitted last time around, replacing Butcher if necessary.

However, there will be speculation over the next few days as to whether England should give a debut to the Glamorgan pace bowler Simon Jones - a decision the coach Duncan Fletcher described last week as difficult. Broadly the conundrum is this: England's inability to bowl Sri Lanka out on a flat pitch at Lord's highlighted the fact that, at this level, in the best batting conditions, it is the extremes - of pace and spin - that are most likely to succeed.

From the academy intake last winter two bowlers, Jones and Steve Harmison, were identified as having the necessary speed. But Harmison is injury prone, appears to have a doubtful temperament and leaves Durham supporters scratching their heads in amazement that he even makes their side. Jones, on the other hand, is unquestionably fast - a Ferrari in county cricket's world of Mondeos - but, alas, with steering that would have made the young Devon Malcolm seem like Curtly Ambrose.

The selectors' dilemma is that, though success in Aus tralia next winter will not come with a mundane attack, Jones is, by the estimation of some sound judges, a minimum of two seasons from being ready for international cricket.

However, should they decide they must take the risk in Australia, in the hope that he would produce the sort of shock that came from Frank Tyson almost half a century ago, it would be prudent to blood him first. Tyson made his debut in the final Test against Pakistan at the Oval in 1954, took five for 57 and went on to help make history.

The first three Tests in the forthcoming series against India will be played either on grounds demanding discipline from the seamers (Lord's and Headingley) or on a potential featherbed (Trent Bridge), so the only realistic chance to blood Jones would be at the Oval or next week at Old Trafford. Both have been pacy in the past but have regressed.

It would surely be foolhardy to risk him for Old Trafford, though, as well as hard on Alex Tudor who contributed well to England's win at Edgbaston. Twice in the past four series England have thrown away a series win by losing the final Test.They cannot afford to do so again. Keep Jones there to soak up the experience but, for the team's credibility, this is not the time for experiment.