Geraint Jones goes back to grass roots

SYDNEY, Jan 17 (Reuters) While his England team mates are preparing for the World Cup, sacked wicketkeeper Geraint Jones is spending the rest of the Australian summer playing grade cricket in Brisbane.

Jones arrived in Australia 10 weeks ago as England's number one wicketkeeper but was axed after the third Ashes test and replaced by Chris Read.

He was left out of the tri-series and World Cup squads but rather than return home, he has decided to stay on in Australia and play for his old club side Beenleigh-Logan.

Jones has signed with the Brisbane club as a batsman because they already have a keeper in former Queensland player Dan Payne.

Jones, who played for the club before moving to England in 2002, said he had decided to remain in Australia to maintain his fitness for the upcoming county season with Kent.

''The opportunity was there for me to play some cricket here after the Ashes so I'm pleased to be able to get some playing time with Beenleigh ahead of the coming summer with Kent,'' Jones said in a statement.

''The club has got itself in a position to possibly win a trophy this season so hopefully I can help out.

''It's nice to be back where I started and good to catch up with some familiar faces.'' Jones was born in Papua New Guinea but was educated in Australia. He qualified to play for England because he has Welsh parents.

REUTERS AY DS1132