LEAVING as little as possible to chance is a quality that has served Geraint Jones well over the last couple of years.

A newly appointed MBE, an Ashes winner and one of England’s most consistent players in Pakistan, Kent’s wicketkeeper has reaped deserved rewards from his hard work and fastidious nature.

Other players in a similar position have been known to rest on their laurels, to coast for a tour or two, but that is not the way Jones works.

After enjoying a week’s New Year break in Australia between winter tours, he made an immediate return to the grindstone of training, swimming and net sessions to hone his skills and stamina ahead of England’s trip to India.

At times this winter Jones has cut a lonely figure running up and down the Tankerton Slope steps that zig-zag the seafront beach huts in a bid to get the edge in terms of fitness.

He has passed rigorous stamina tests with the England party in Loughborough and survived a dozen net sessions in Canterbury with Kent coach Simon Willis, all to ensure he would hit the ground running on arrival in Mumbai.

Yet there was one thing Jones, who was raised in the warmer climes of Papua New Guinea and Brisbane, could not prepare for – the excessive heat.

He said: "It was low 20s for most of the time in Pakistan, which was really nice cricket weather, but in India temperatures will be 35 and possibly up to 40 in some places. Add to that quite a bit of humidity and it could be quite uncomfortable and tough, particularly with pads and wicketkeeping gloves on.

"It’s a bit hard to prepare for that when it’s just above freezing in Kent and you’re putting two jumpers on just to keep warm, let alone try to acclimatise. It will take me a couple of days to get used to things but I’m hoping I’ll adapt quickly."

India, like England, have just lost a series to Pakistan but Jones believes this is a good time to be taking on Rahul Dravid’s men. That said, England’s party know that bowling on tinder dry pitches to the likes of Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar will be no bed of roses.

"Both teams will be looking to bounce back from those defeats to Pakistan and that should set it up to be a fantastic series," added Jones.

"We came away from the Pakistan trip having picked up some great experience of conditions in the sub-continents and, though India will be different again, that can only stand us in good stead.

"The other big difference is that India don’t have quite the pace attack that Pakistan do. Shoaib Akhtar had his best series for some time against us and got decent support from the likes of Rana Naved and Mohammad Sami.

"India have a slightly different balance to their side with two left-armers, then top class spin from Harbhajan Singh and Anil Kumble.

"But we had the ‘Merlin’ spin bowling machine in the nets up at Loughborough and had it set up to bowl at us like Harbhajan and Kumble, which helps prepare us.

"It’s all about getting the mindset right for batting against them, particularly Kumble, because he’s taller and quicker than most other spinners. The other advantage is that I’ve faced these guys before back in England, so I’m not going in totally blind."

As for his keeping, Jones was delighted with his consistency in Pakistan and is confident his form and body will survive the rigours of a another string of Tests and one-day internationals.

He added: "The bounce may be even lower in India than it was in Pakistan and generally the pitches will take more spin, all of which will make for a testing time in terms of keeping wicket.

"After my fitness work over in Whitstable and Loughborough I feel really strong and fit, but I do try and look after myself.

"I will have a rub down, ice bath and a massage after every day’s play in India which just makes sure you take every precaution you can to stay fit. The massage in particular can be a bit hellish after a hard day in the field, particularly when they get stuck into my legs, but is has to be done.

"I think I showed what I’m capable of in terms of keeping in Pakistan and my aim is to keep my standards that high in India. I’ve worked hard on my batting, too, and feel that I’m due a really good spell.

"Together with Wilko (Simon Willis) I’ve made a few adjustments to my pre-delivery trigger and trying to stand a little taller at the crease. It’s all aimed at making my backlift and stance more compact and making me more stable once the ball is released."

Only time will tell if Jones’s work pays dividends, but you cannot fault the attention to detail.

England itinerary in India:

February 18-20, three-day friendly v CCI XI (Mumbai), February 23-25, three-day first-class game v President’s XI (Baroda), March 1-5, 1st Test v India (Nagpur), March 9-13, 2nd Test v India (Mohali), March 18-22, 3rd Test v India (Mumbai), March 25, one-day warm-up match v Jaipur XI (Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur), March 28, 1st ODI v India (Delhi), March 31, 2nd ODI v India (Faridabad), April 3, 3rd ODI v India (Goa), April 6, 4th ODI v India (Cochin), April 9, 5th ODI v India (Guwahati), April 12, 6th ODI v India (Jamshedpur), April 15, 7th ODI v India (Indore).