MUMBAI, Jan 30: England fast bowler Simon Jones is taking tips from Australian great Dennis Lillee on his comeback from ankle surgery for the upcoming tour of India. The 27-year-old Glamorgan player grabbed 18 wickets in four Tests during last year’s Ashes triumph before the injury sidelined him for the final Test and the series in Pakistan.

“It’s nice to be bowling again really,” Jones said by phone from Chennai where he is training under Lillee.

“It’s a good chance to be working with Lillee. I’m picking his brains,” said Jones, who is accompanied by England bowling coach Troy Cooley.

Jones has arrived a fortnight before the rest of the squad ahead of the three Tests and seven one-dayers.

The bowler foxed Australian batsmen with reverse swing, an ability which could prove invaluable on slow Indian pitches.

Jones played in India in 2004 when he was making a comeback from a career-threatening knee injury and hoped that experience would stand him in good stead.

“I’ve been out here before with England A and did okay. I got a couple of five-wicket hauls with reverse swing,” he said. “We are using a different ball this time. We’ll see what it is like.”

The two major injuries in quick succession have pegged down his appearances to 18 Tests since his debut in 2002. He has taken 59 wickets at 28.23 runs apiece.—Reuters