IF KENT’S Geraint Jones appears remarkably calm in front of the 41,000 sell out for England’s Ashes opener at The Gabba it is probably because he is playing to a 'home' crowd.

Though born in Papua New Guinea, Jones was raised and schooled near Brisbane and most of his family and a few of his former school friends have been on the phone for tickets.

In his final interview before the opening blows of the series, Jones said: "Sure, I’m nervous going into an Ashes series, there would be something wrong with me if I weren’t, but I’m fairly relaxed because the build up has gone so well.

"There’s a comfort factor for me here though because I spent so many years in Brisbane growing up."

* SEE THURSDAY'S KENTISH GAZETTE FOR THE EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW IN FULL.