Jones steps down from captaincy and will retire at end of season
8 July 2015
Geraint Jones has stepped down as Gloucestershire captain and is to retire from cricket at the end of the 2015 season.
The wicketkeeper/batsman, 38, will miss his side’s LV= County Championship v Northamptonshire at the Brewin Dolphin Cheltenham Cricket Festival (July 8-11) but remains available to play in all formats.
Jones, an Ashes winner with England in 2005, joined Gloucestershire on a two-year-deal in October last year following a successful loan spell but has decided to end his stay at Nevil Road a year early.
Explaining his decision Jones said: “It’s been something I’ve been thinking about quite strongly in the last few weeks and I’ve come to the decision that this season will be my last as a cricket player.
“But it’s on a positive note that I’ve made the decision. Yes the family side has been a big consideration but ultimately it’s about what’s best for Gloucestershire Cricket and this squad.
“Over the last few weeks I felt there were guys who needed an opportunity and my place in the team was potentially that opportunity.
“I still want to play a big role in helping the team on and off the field but now is a chance for them to start to formulate the best way forward for this group of players and for Gloucestershire Cricket.”
To watch a video interview with Geraint on his decision click below.
Jones has led Gloucestershire in all nine of their LV=County Championship matches this year, scoring 400 runs at an average of 26.67. He has also kept wicket in all of his side’s NatWest T20 Blast matches and took the gloves in the last four-day few games following injury to Gareth Roderick.
And Jones says the return to fitness of Gloucestershire’s first choice ‘keeper has influenced the timing of his decision.
He said: “With him coming back into the side it would have meant someone like Ian Cockbain missing out. He’s been in and out of the side over the last few years and what was nagging away was that given the security of his place what could he be capable of? We all know what a good player he is in one-day cricket.
“It also gives the coaches a chance to work out where best to bat these guys and start planning for the future.”
Jones, who was born in Papua New Guinea and grew up in Australia joined Gloucestershire following 15 seasons with Kent. During his time at Canterbury he played 34 Tests and 49 One Day Internationals for England including playing a key role in the 2005 Ashes – an experience he singles out as the highlight of his career.
Commenting on Jones’ decision Gloucestershire head coach Richard Dawson said: “I respect Geraint’s decision and the reasons behind it. He has had a fantastic career and still has a big role to play in the development of the team going forward.”
Chief Executive Will Brown added: “I would like to congratulate Geraint on a wonderful career and hope he can add to it with Gloucestershire up and until the end of the season.
“I would like to thank him for the role he has played in leading and developing the squad during his time here. While it is a shame that he won’t be continuing this beyond this season we completely understand his decision and wish him all the best for his retirement come the end of the season.”
