LEEDS, Aug 2: Chris Read admitted that he was surprised to be given a chance to resurrect his career as England wicket-keeper after thinking rival Geraint Jones had become “part of the furniture.”

Read’s inclusion in the England side for the Headingley Test ended a run of 31 consecutives Tests for Geraint Jones, who himself usurped Read for the final match of the 2003-04 series in the Caribbean.

“I was pretty surprised to be honest but delighted,” Read told reporters on Wedenesday at Headingley, where England gathered to prepare for Friday's Test.

“After someone's played 31 consecutive Tests they are part of the furniture a little bit. He hasn't scored the amount of runs the selectors have demanded. But they've stuck with him and supported him for a long time so I didn't necessarily see any change coming midway through a series particularly after a victory.”

The irony was that Read lost his place as Jones was considered the better batsman, although few doubt that Read is the better keeper. But one fifty in Jones's last 15 Test innings led to him being left out.

Read admitted after making 150 not out for England ‘A’ against the Pakistanis at Canterbury last month that he was thinking of the challenges ahead.

“I had half an eye on this winter, which is a phenomenal winter to be involved in - an Ashes tour and then the World Cup.

“But now I'm not looking too far past this Test. Keeping to a high standard goes without saying, because I still believe that's my number one role, but runs are crucial.” And Read insisted that despite almost constant comparisons in the press over the last year, there was no animosity between himself and Jones.

“Geraint and I have always got on exceptionally well. But at the same time there's only one of you, like a goalkeeper in football. I've been given this opportunity now and, if I'm ruthless about it, I'll hopefully tie it down for the near future.”—Agencies