A REMARKABLE year of sporting highs and lows ended in fine style for Kent cricketer Geraint Jones when he and England’s Ashes-winning squad were awarded MBE’s in the New Year’s Honours’ list.

Having played almost non-stop since bursting onto the first-class scene on his Kent debut in May 2001, Jones is enjoying a rare break from cricket and saw in the New Year with his family at his brother’s home near Brisbane, Australia.

The New Year honour completes a stunning year for the Kent wicketkeeper, who has proved something of a talisman to the England side since making his Test debut in Antigua in April 2004.

Speaking from the gold coast Jones said: "The honour came as a complete surprise. The past 18 months have been incredible for me and this has topped the lot.

"I’ve travelled a lot and played a fair bit of hard cricket, but I’ve enjoyed it and had great fun along the way, but this award is the icing on the cake."

Jones revealed that he and the England squad were first told of the honour during their tour of Pakistan.

He explained: "The High Commissioner out there came to see us and formally asked the players individually if they wanted to accept their awards. It was a something I never expected and I don’t yet know when I’ll actually get to receive it, but it’s a lovely surprise all the same."

After helping England to series wins over the West Indies and New Zealand early in his international career, Jones was at centre stage during some of the most heart-stopping moments of last summer’s Ashes victory.

His was the memorable catch that secured the nerve-jangling two-run win at Edgbaston, while Jones’s contribution of 85 to a stand of 177 with Andrew Flintoff helped secure a draw at Trent Bridge.

He is only 48-runs short of notching his first 1,000 runs at the highest level of the game, scored at a respectable average of 29.75, and, with 23 Test caps to his credit, Jones has already overtaken Dean Headley (15), Bob Woolmer (19) and Brian Luckhurst (21) in the list of Kent players to have appeared for England.

He will have already set his sights set on surpassing Graham Dilley (26), Mike Denness (28), Percy Chapman (26) and Chris Tavare (30) over the next 12 months if fitness and form stay with him.

Jones is already Kent’s second-highest capped player in one-day internationals with 38 appearances and is closing fast on the club record holder Mark Ealham, who won 64.

Though he plays for England and will shortly become a Member of the British Empire, Jones believes the fact he was born in Papua New Guinea and then raised in Australia will still be remembered in certain quarters.

"My brother and father were both chuffed to bits for me and proud of what I’ve achieved," added Jones. "But it’s still bound to pop up at some stage. Someone somewhere is certain to remind me that I was bought up on the gold coast, but I’m used to that by now."

And chances are that somewhere may well be The Gabba in Brisbane next November 23, when Jones will hope to cross swords with Shane Warne and co as England begin their defence of the Ashes.