Cricket: England new boy lives Lord's dream.

Byline: Rob Owen

SIMON Jones hopes his emotions don't get the better of him when he makes his Test bow for England against India at Lord's tomorrow.

The 23-year-old Glamorgan pace ace has admitted he'll be more than a little touched by the occasion, but so will his father Jeff, who made his own Test debut against the Indians during the 1963/64 series before his career was ruined by injury.

``I don't know who will be more emotional, my dad or me,'' said Jones. ``I know he is definitely coming to Lord's because he wouldn't miss this for the world.

``This is a dream come true - it's the pinnacle of a cricket career to play international cricket.

``I'll be in the nets today trying to keep myself composed, and then it's a case of doing my best.''

Jones, who has enjoyed his best summer with the ball, taking 35 wickets at just over 22 apiece to date, is under no illusions as to the size of his task.

Few would dispute that India possess the finest array of batsmen in international cricket, and the Lord's wicket is being described as a featherbed.

``They have more than a few of the best batsmen in the world, but I enjoy a challenge, and this is a challenge all right,'' added Jones.

``This will be a step up from championship cricket, and to be honest the Glamorgan boys have been ribbing me about what parts of the ground Sachin Tendulkar is going to hit me to. But we've got to just get stuck into the Indians. The team has got to forget they are batting stars.'' Jones will become the 16th Glamorgan player, and the first since Steve James, to make a Test debut.

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MAKING PLANS; England captain Nasser Hussain and coach Keith Fletcher watch players' preparations for the first Test. PICTURE: Getty Images