KENT and England cricket hero Geraint Jones could not have expected a welcome home party quite like this.

On his return to his adopted city on Thursday, he brought the replica Ashes urn to Canterbury High School and was bowled a bouncer full in his face for his troubles.

Then the open-top bus that had paraded the victorious team through the London streets on Tuesday broke down in the school car park.

The school visit was part of a day of celebrations to mark Kent's sporting hero's return. He was introduced to all 180 Year 11 PE students in the gym, before facing a few deliveries in the nets.

Opening the bowling was 15-year-old Robert Biddle, of City View, Canterbury, who came in short of a length and smacked England's wicket keeper in the side of the head first ball.

"I didn't mean that, I was just too nervous," claimed Robert.

Unphased, Geraint told pupils he hoped the Ashes success would help promote cricket in schools up and down the land.

He said: "School cricket is where it all began for me. Hopefully what we did will get more youngsters playing. That is imperative for continued success."

Geraint said he now planned to enjoy some time off.

"I'll play some golf, listen to music and generally chill out because the pressure has been so intense this series," he said.

Before that, in the afternoon he and the urn carrying the fruit of our summer sport's spoils were paraded in front of visitors at a rain-soaked St Lawrence Ground.