By Oliver Brett BBC Sport Online

When Simon Jones burst onto the Test scene back in July many saw him for what he was - the first genuinely quick, exciting bowler that England had produced in years.

He did not disappoint at Lord's, taking four wickets against a fine Indian batting line-up on an excellent sun-baked surface at Lord's.

And he also contributed with the bat, hitting 44 off 43 balls.

Sadly, he had injured his rib, allegedly when delivering the very first ball of that Test.

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It has been a long, arduous road to recovery and one that almost went wrong when he attempted to make a comeback for Glamorgan against Nottinghamshire in late August.

Gough is not yet fit, but Jones is

Had it gone well, the plan would have been for a comeback in the final Test at the Oval.

But it went all awry, and he bowled just one over in the match.

Now, after taking five wickets in Western Australia's second innings in Perth, every thing is in good order.

His coach at Glamorgan, John Derrick, recalls how crucial the post-summer period was.

"I arranged with the groundsman at Cardiff to keep a strip for the three weeks Simon was with me after the season.

"Three times a week he would bowl half an hour or 40 minutes for me and he got up to 95% of what he can do.

"It was very good. He was very pleased and so was I. His preparation for the Ashes has been very good really."

The 23-year-old from Swansea has many attributes beyond mere pace, adds Derrick.

Jones and Caddick are both in form

"Having come back from the Academy last year he learned to reverse the ball a little.

"When he gets it right he gets shape away from the right-hander, and at that sort of pace it's pretty useful bowling!"

The development of Jones as a finished article in fact goes back to the winter of 2001-02, a full 12 months before the Academy trip, says Derrick.

"He would come to the indoor school three times a week and bowl off a shorter run-up.

"That meant he was starting to get the overs under his belt. If he hadn't bowled longer spells in the summer of 2001 he wouldn't have got into the Academy."

Derrick is confident Jones can translate his form from Perth into the first Test at Brisbane, assuming he is picked to play.

"He just goes out there, enjoys himself and doesn't feel under any pressure.

Test passed

"You saw that at Lord's when he got runs and wickets. I think Nasser Hussain said that he wanted him to play at the WACA to see how fit he was.

"It was the big test for Simon and he's come through it well."

Darren Gough is very unlikely to be ready in time, so it means Jones is now almost certain to play his second Test for England at the Gabba on 7 November.

One thing is certain, it won't be boring when Jones runs in to bowl at full tilt to Justin Langer and Matthew Hayden.