Jones clear for county duty

Jones is expected to bowl between 16 and 20 overs

England have given Simon Jones special permission to play in Glamorgan's game against Cardiff UCCE on Wednesday.

The England and Wales Cricket Board had told five centrally-contracted players not on one-day duty that they could not play for their counties until 3 May.

Jones will be allowed to turn out for the three-day game as he has not bowled since returning from the West Indies.

But Graham Thorpe, Mark Butcher, Nasser Hussain and Matthew Hoggard will still miss their County Championship matches.

Jones took 11 wickets during England's Test triumph in the Caribbean.

And England coach Duncan Fletcher and bowling coach Troy Cooley are keen for him to play regularly as he continues his rehabilitation after 15 months out with a knee injury.

CONTRACTED PLAYERS James Anderson (Lancs), Mark Butcher (Surrey), Paul Collingwood (Durham), Andrew Flintoff (Lancs), Ashley Giles (Warks), Steve Harmison (Durham), Matthew Hoggard (Yorks), Nasser Hussain (Essex), Simon Jones (Glam), Graham Thorpe (Surrey), Michael Vaughan (Yorks), Marcus Trescothick (Somerset)

"We have cleared everything with England and I think it's sensible for everyone concerned that he is playing for us this week," said Glamorgan coach John Derrick.

"I think Troy is very keen he is playing because he is working on a few things with Simon with regards his follow-up, where he lands his back foot and his front arm.

"It also gives Simon a chance to get back in the middle and have a day or so in the field.

"I expect him to bowl between 16 and 20 overs in the match."

Thorpe and Butcher will not be available for Surrey's County Championship fixture against Northamptonshire at the Brit Oval on Wednesday.

But captain Jon Batty said: "We have always had to deal with England players being away. It is a bonus when we find they can play."

Thorpe was handed a six-month contract earlier this month after impressing in the Caribbean, while Butcher is in the middle of a 12-month deal.

Division Two bottom side Essex will have to do without former England skipper Hussain for their match against Somerset.

I cannot for the life of me see how resting Nasser, Thorpe and Butcher is going to help them! From Green O Have your say on TMS

And Yorkshire will travel to take on Nottinghamshire without seam bowler Hoggard.

Wicket-keeper Geraint Jones, who played in the fourth Test against West Indies but does not have a contract, turned out for Kent in last week's Championship match against Worcestershire.

Jones and Hussain can expect to play a maximum of two Championship games before rejoining their England team-mates for the first Test against New Zealand on 20 May.

Surrey will only have one match with their leading batsmen available, away to Warwickshire from 12 May.