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Jones close to first Test call?

GERAINT JONES: plenty of backing
GERAINT JONES: plenty of backing

KENT wicketkeeper Geraint Jones is hoping a groundswell of media support will heap pressure on the England selectors and win him a call-up for Saturday's fourth and final Test against the West Indies in Antigua.

With the series win done and dusted at 3-0, coach Duncan Fletcher and the selectors have little to lose in listening to the clamour to give Jones his maiden cap.

Even present incumbent keeper Chris Read, the Nottinghamshire gloveman, admits he is feeling the pressure and understands why pundits are backing Jones ahead of him.

In his column for BBC Sport Read said: "It doesn't bother me that people are saying I should be dropped and Geraint given a chance. I know I'm not doing my job with the bat.

"I've had a good series behind the stumps and I'm happy with that. But my main priority is to score runs at number seven and I'm not doing it. Yes, I understand people will want to see Geraint called up, but from my perspective I just hope I'll be given a few more chances."

England coach Duncan Fletcher has hinted that Jones may get the call. Looking ahead to the match, he said: "We would like more runs from Chris although he keeping has been good.

"I have only seen Geraint in two three-day matches, one here and one in Sri Lanka and they are vastly different from Tests. But he kept very well in both. We will discuss it when we sit down to pick the next team."

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