ASHES tourist Geraint Jones has said that losing his ECB central contract will act as a "kick up the backside" ahead of this winter’s trip to Australia.

The Kent wicketkeeper’s name was missing from the 13-man list of centrally contracted England players but, vitally, so was that of Jones’s chief rival for the England keeping spot, Nottinghamshire’s Chris Read.

Jones said: "Of course it’s disappointing to lose it, but the fact that neither of us have been given one is a positive for me to take from the decision.

"From what I’ve been told, performances this winter will decide what happens contract-wise next summer, which makes me feel it’s all to play for and that the position is really up for grabs.

"It has definitely been a kick up the backside, first of all to be dropped and then lose my contract, but I’ve got time to work a few things out then have a quick break before hitting the Ashes tour really hard."

Jones confirmed he is in the process of negotiating a new contract with Kent and is intent on staying with the club who gave him his first shot at first-class cricket.

He added: "I’m thrashing out a deal at the moment with Paul Millman (Kent’s chief executive). I’m fairly sure that won’t be a problem because I’m happy here and I’m keen to stay with Kent."