GERAINT JONES was more popular than the free buffet at Kent’s pre-season press day – quite literally, the entire press corps all wanted a piece of him.

In the space of an hour, Jones patiently sat down to answer the questions of a dozen or more writers and broadcasters who wanted to know what had become of England’s deposed wicketkeeper since the winter Ashes debacle Down Under.

Few would have questioned Jones had he ducked the odd insensitive question and nobody would have baulked had he limited each journalist to five-minute interviews, yet that would be to underestimate Jones as a man.

The boyish smile wiped from his face by England’s miserable tour of Australia thankfully plays on Jones’s lips again, yet beneath lies steely determination. There remains the focus of an international cricketer whose wounded pride seems certain to make him the fiercest of competitors while back on the domestic stage.

He said: "England is a recent thing, so it is understandable people want to ask about the Ashes but it also gives me a chance to say that it’s still an ambition of mine to get back into the side.

"England is no longer my central focus though because what I’m setting out to do is enjoy my cricket again and play well for Kent and, if anything happens from there, so be it.

"It is tough when you’re under pressure all the time, constantly being analysed and wondering what you need to do.

"The seven weeks I stayed on in Australia after the England tour was very beneficial to me. I had time to myself, to work out what I wanted to do and just relax."

Captain Rob Key expects Jones to bat at No.6 in the Championship side and possibly open in shorter forms of the game, roles that clearly excite 30-year-old Jones.

"I know I opened in one-day internationals for England a while back but I was a bit naive in how to play the game back then," he added.

"I’ve learnt and matured a lot since and I understand now why people were putting my name forward to bat up the order.

"As long as I maintain my natural game and don’t try and force it too much, I know I’m capable of more innings like the century I scored against Nottinghamshire in pre-season.

"The England experience over the winter knocked the edge off me enjoying the game but I’m looking forward to the summer.

"I know I’ll enjoy myself again. Taking to the field with some good mates and hopefully playing some strong cricket together."