Jones eyes 2009 Ashes after injury nightmare

By Richard Sydenham

WORCESTER, England (Reuters) - Fast bowler Simon Jones is fit and ready to win back his England place after enduring almost three injury-hit years since he last played a test during the 2005 Ashes-winning series.

Jones, 29, was a key man in that 2005 triumph over Australia with 18 wickets, before a succession of injuries left his career in tatters.

Having left Glamorgan and his native Wales, Jones begins his latest comeback with new county Worcestershire next week.

From the time he missed the fifth Ashes test in September 2005 with an ankle problem through to multiple setbacks with his knee -- Jones despaired at how his career was disintegrating.

"It's been very hard, going from such a high to such a low in such a short space of time and having to take a long time to get back to where I want to be," Jones told Reuters on Tuesday.

"I found it tough to start with and thought 'what am I doing wrong?' I couldn't understand why I kept picking up injuries. Fair enough if I was a lazy sod and didn't do the right things.

"It was one thing after another. Freddie (Andrew Flintoff) has had the same problem with his ankle. It is just a frustrating time because you don't get into any rhythm and you miss the game a hell of a lot.

"I sometimes watched the (Ashes) footage if I was feeling low. I only need to watch a bit and it gets me going again because there is no bigger spectacle than the Ashes. That's one of my motivations, to do well, keep fit and push for a place if not this season, next season when the Ashes come round again."