Team bosses will be pleased Jones was able to bowl 17 overs

Simon Jones had his first sustained workout in match conditions since a serious knee injury in November 2002 and came through the test well.

Jones took 3-47 in 17 overs on day two of England A's match against the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association in Madras.

In reply to the tourists' 368-9, the home side reached 272-6 at stumps.

Simon Francis, Graham Wagg and Michael Lumb were the other wicket-takers for England A while Kevin Pietersen hit 147 on day one before retiring hurt.

Play resumed on the second day of this four-day match with England A 344-8 and James Tredwell and Shaftab Khalid at the crease.

They added a further 24 in partnership before Khalid was dismissed, Tredwell finishing on 33 not out.

Pietersen did not come back to the crease after the wicket fell giving England A 76 overs of bowling in the remainder of the day.

The openers put on 58 before Wagg struck to dismiss 16-year-old Anirudh Srikkanth for 32.

Jones seems to be all set for a superb outing - watch out! From Sundaram KR Have your say on TMS

Another good partnership saw the score reach 110-1 before Sivamakrishnan Vidyut fell to Jones for 48.

Francis dislodged Somasetty Suresh for 30 before Glamorgan paceman Jones had his second wicket when Sunil Viswanathan was bowled for a duck.

With the local side suddenly 117-4, England A were on top but a 129-run partnership between 19-year-old left-hander Kathethurshri Vasudevadas (78 not out) and Esak Suresh (42) adjusted the balance.