Jones hits out at critics

Since the ball-tampering allegation at the Oval last month, several commentators have questioned whether bowling reverse-swing is possible without illegally altering the ball’s condition.

However, English paceman Simon Jones, who was successful with the reverse-swinging delivery last summer in the Ashes, has defended bowlers around the world from these claims.

“People who say reverse swing is not possible without ball-tampering obviously know nothing about cricket… Have they ever bowled with a ball that’s reversing? Have they ever bowled with a normal ball?” Jones said.

“If people make big statements they should be able to back them up. But I ignored those stories because I know what I did was legal.”

Jones also claimed that it was impossible ‘to get away with scuffing the ball.’

The pace-bowler didn’t stop there: he also replied to those who claimed that he developed his reverse-swing with Waqar Younis, who played at Glamorgan in the 1990s.

“When I did talk to him we spoke about bowling, not reverse swing… It’s taken me a long time to develop it. I did a lot of work in Australia with Troy Cooley and that’s where I first learned it,” Jones said.

Jones also went on to confirm that he would be ready for the World Cup, although he will miss the Ashes, to be played in Australia this winter, due to a knee injury.