By Andy Jalil at Lord's

Match scorecard

If first impressions count for much, England's latest Test recruit has made an enormous impact with an emphatic entry into the international scene.

A wholehearted cricketer from Swansea, Simon Jones had chosen an unfamiliar weapon on Friday to signal his arrival at the highest level.

An unhibited piece of left-handed hitting which brought him 44 runs from 43 balls in England's impressive innings.

Day three photos

On Saturday he used the ball in his more recognisable role, to help England dismiss India for a comparitively meagre 221.

Jones was consistently good on Saturday

After his fine five-over first spell of the day, he returned for an inspired second spell in which he claimed two wickets in successive overs.

His first Test victim, which he is unlikely to forget, was Ajay Ratra, who has an unbeaten Test century to his credit against West Indies.

Then seven balls later, conceding just one further run, he removed the all-rounder Ajit Agarkar.

The spell brought the sell-out crowd at Lord's to its feet and the joyous reaction of the entire England team at his first Test wicket summed up his popularity.

In drawing a comparison between Jones and another ebullient England fast bowler, the currently injured Darren Gough, there appears a great similarity both in personality and temperament.

Both are strongly built and full of enthusiasm. Curiously, both have had a similar Test debut.

Gough, who is eight years older, made his first appearence for England eight years before Jones at the age of twenty three.

Darren Gough bowling back in 1994

Gough also had the opportunity of batting first and he too responded with an entertaining knock - of 65 - against New Zealand in the first innings and then went on to take 4 for 47.

It was a performance not far removed from that of Jones in the present Test.

They both have a similar bustling run up although the delivery style is different and in speed they have been noted for raw pace.

Gough has been clocked at 94.4 at his fastest while Jones has already reached 91.7 and with the potential he has, his speed will undoubtedly increase very substantially.

They are both extremely enthusiastic cricketers who lift the spirits of their teammates at both domestic and international levels of the game and enjoy great popularity.

Apart from the coaching under the guidance of Rod Marsh at the England academy last winter, there has also been plenty of advice from his father, Jeff.

Jones senior played 15 Tests in the sixties as an England left-arm fast bowler although he did not possess the same hitting power in his batting as the his son seems to possess.