Jones ruled out of Ashes after injury

England fast bowler Simon Jones was ruled out of the Ashes tour on the first day of the first Test after injuring his knee while fielding.

An England team spokesman said Jones, who was stretchered off from the Gabba, would need reconstruction surgery and would be out of action for a minimum of six months.

The news of Jones's injury was a massive blow for Nasser Hussain's struggling side, already without their most experienced strike bowler Darren Gough because of injury. England have already called up Alex Tudor into the squad as cover.

Jones was admitted to St. Andrews hospital in Brisbane for a series of scans which confirmed he had ruptured the anterior cruciate ligaments in his right knee.

The spokesman said Jones would undergo surgery once he returned home but the injury was so serious he wouldn't be able to travel back for at least another two weeks.

Jones, playing in just his second Test, was stretchered from the Gabba field writhing in pain after he slipped and twisted his knee in a clumsy attempt to retrieve a ball he had already fumbled.

Jones made his debut for England, his only other match for his country, in July against India but was ruled out of the rest of the series after injuring a side muscle.

The 23-year-old was the only England bowler to take a wicket as Australia totally dominated the first day, racing to 306 for one after 70 overs.

Jones removed Justin Langer for 32 with the total on 67 before lunch, finding the edge and presenting wicketkeeper Alec Stewart with a straightforward catch.

Jones had also featured in a controversial incident involving Australian opener Matthew Hayden.

Hayden hooked a ball straight to Jones at fine leg only to be let off because the fielder fell over the boundary rope.

Jones appealed for the catch after throwing the ball back into the field of play just before he tumbled over the rope, but television umpire Simon Taufel ruled the catch ineligible.

While replays showed that Jones had clearly taken the catch inside the rope, cricket law 32.3 says a player must have "complete control" of the ball and himself before a catch is awarded.

Mail Cricket Editor