LONDON: Simon Jones moved a step closer to a return to international cricket on Thursday after being named in England’s provisional 30-man squad for September’s Champions Trophy one-day tournament in Pakistan.

The Welsh quick hasn’t played for England since the fourth Test of England’s 2005 Ashes series win over Australia where he took 18 wickets.

After lengthy spells out of action with injury the reverse-swing bowler has been in fine form since joining Worcestershire from his native Glamorgan at the start of this season.

Star all-rounder Andrew Flintoff, who captained England in the last Champions Trophy, was also included in a squad which will be cut in over a month’s time to 15.

England’s provisional party features five uncapped players, including Nottinghamshire quick Darren Pattinson, born in Grimsby but brought up in Australia.

“Although the 30-man ICC Champions Trophy squad is extensive it contains some exceptional talent and a strong mix of youth and experience,” said national selector Geoff Miller.

“The ICC Champions Trophy will give us the chance to test our One-day International side against the best in the world and I know the players will be looking forward to the challenge of improving our current ODI ranking.

“We will continue to monitor performance in the lead up to narrowing the squad to a final number of 15.”

This year’s Champions Trophy has been reduced to just eight teams, with England’s first match against Sri Lanka.

England provisional 30-man squad for September’s ICC Champions Trophy in Pakistan: Tim Ambrose (wkt), James Anderson, Ian Bell, Ravi Bopara, Tim Bresnan, Stuart Broad, Michael Carberry, Paul Collingwood, Alastair Cook, Andrew Flintoff, Simon Jones, Ed Joyce, Robert Key, Sajid Mahmood, Dimitri Mascarenhas, Phil Mustard (wkt), Graham Onions, Monty Panesar, Samit Patel, Darren Pattinson, Kevin Pietersen, Liam Plunkett, Matt Prior (wkt), Owais Shah, Ryan Sidebottom, Andrew Strauss, Graeme Swann, James Tredwell, Chris Tremlett, Luke Wright.