Simon Jones

Simon Jones is an Ashes-winning cricketer who is renowned for his reverse swing bowling ability. Taking a number of key wickets against Australia in the series, he is well-known for taking 6-53 in the third Test before taking 5-44 in the fourth. He would take Australian captain, Ricky Ponting twice in the series to help England towards success before being forced out of the decider through injury. That was to prove the last of his international appearances at Test level, but his 18 wickets were central to England reclaiming The Ashes for the first time since 1987.

Though injury would claim large segments of his career, Jones would still post impressive statistics and be considered one of the top bowlers of his time. In possession of a polished right-arm fast-medium swing bowl, he proved himself as one of the best Welsh players ever to have played for England. His remarkable and rapid rise into the public eye was typified by his wonderful performances for England in the 2005 Ashes. But his career would nosedive agonisingly after the tournament concluded and he would never pull on an England shirt again.

Jones would later write about the trials and tribulations of his experiences in cricket in his autobiography, The Test: My Life, and the Inside Story of the Greatest Ashes Series. The book, like his after dinner speeches sees Jones look back on his career, through the spectacular high points to the lows that effectively ended his skyrocketing reputation as an England international. Knowing a thing or two about overcoming adversity, Jones can recount the sobering moments that continued to plague him. After bouncing back from 18 months on the sidelines following his Ashes injury, having been through operations and failed comebacks, he joined Worcester in 2008. There he was bang in form in the early weeks of the season, having taken a stellar 45 wickets in eight games.

Soon his physical turmoil would affect him mentally and stress would become a common feature of his life. After struggling to fight off his injuries, he retired in 2013 after a second spell at Glamorgan. He maintains that it is that fleeting series, that remarkable performance in the 2005 Ashes that he is remembered for. A top-class cricketer who has inspired corporate audiences with his personal journey, Simon Jones is ideal to discuss drive, determination and overcoming adversity as a motivational cricket speaker today.