Following a training session at the Brisbane Grammar School, Australia's spin King Shane Warne attacked England's or rather Duncan Fletcher's choice to reverse his decision to include Jones as the number one wicket keeper ahead of Chris Read. Speaking to the international media he said

"It's surprising that they'd go back to Jones". "He'll be under enormous pressure. I think it's a known fact - and it's not me sledging him - that Jones is in the side more for his batting than his keeping. His keeping is steady at best and we saw him drop some crucial catches [in the last series]. You don't want to be dropping Ricky Ponting when he's on half-a-dozen in the first Test of the series, especially when you've just been brought back into the side."

Jones hasn't had the best of tours so far despite his knock against South Australia this week, his fielding has been sketchy and despite a superb one handed catch in the one day match against the Prime Minister's XI he has been poor behind the wicket.

Shane predicted more problems for England behind the wicket. "It takes a while to get used to a new keeper," he said. "When we had [Ian] Healy, myself and Mark Waugh we knew exactly whose catch was whose. Trescothick's a good catcher, and he'll be missed." Indeed Trescothick was England's great hope in the slips and his stress injury and withdrawal from the series will be a great loss not only to England but in supporting Jones.

"Duncan Fletcher has definitely got a few favourites," he added. "I think that's well-known between everybody. That's why some blokes keep coming back into the side, because they are favourites. But in Australia you need your best keeper because the ball does bounce and carry, and so I'd be very happy to see England go back to Jones and Giles."

"They think they are just trying to strengthen their batting and their tail, but actually what they are doing is losing two of the finest arts in the game, in keeping and spin bowling. England have got two guys that can do that exceptionally well, but they want them to go to bring in handy lower-order batters. That's what the top six are there for. You need 20 wickets to win a Test."

Only time will tell if Jones costs England more runs in the field by missed chances compared to the runs he scores with his batting. Warne also took time to comment on the inclusion of Monty Panesar ahead of Ashley Giles for the first Test.

"Giles is a very good cricketer and a lovely guy," said Warne, damning the man with faint praise. "But they've got an exciting spin bowler in Panesar, as we saw this summer. Don't mess around with him, just let him play, enjoy the conditions, keep learning and bowl. He needs to enjoy the challenges that lie ahead. I think it's a backwards decision to go back to Jones and Giles, and a good sign for us."

One thing Warne doesn't expect is an easy time on the field and regaining the Ashes will be hard, "They'll be tough to beat, and anyone who thinks it's going to be a walkover doesn't know much about the game," he said. "They are stronger now than they were when we played them last time. But at the end of the day everyone's done enough talking and answering the same questions. We're just looking forward to getting out there and playing, and playing well.