MOST cricketers would accept the description “specialist Test bowler” as a compliment rather than an insult. But as Simon Jones landed in Namibia with the England one-day squad yesterday he revealed that Glamorgan’s reluctance to select him for limited-overs matches may prompt him to leave the county.

Jones, 25, has another year of his contract remaining but has so far refused to accept the offer of an extension that would carry him to the end of the 2007 season. His prospects of making the World Cup party earlier that year will be hindered unless he is given more exposure at domestic level.

Duncan Fletcher, the England coach, has wanted to look at Jones in the one-day format for some time, thinking that wicket-taking bowlers are more useful than those who contain without a direct threat at international level. With Stephen Harmison opting out of the series in Zimbabwe, which begins on Friday week, this is the best opportunity that Jones is likely to get.

If he succeeds, he will be another of Fletcher’s hunches to pay off. Last season Jones bowled only 28.1 overs in one-day cricket. His entire career in the shorter game consists of ten matches spanning six summers. He has taken four wickets at an average of 105.75, claiming a wicket roughly once every 111 balls and with an economy rate of 5.70 runs per over.

Jones missed part of last season with a foot injury, but he made no attempt to disguise his frustration with Glamorgan. “I have just been the drinks boy. I know I should have been in the side,” he said. “They did not really give me a reason why I was not playing. They took me along for the ride, I think. I wanted to be out there on the field.

“It is not nice to be labelled as just a Test bowler or a four-day bowler. I want to play at all levels and be a rounded cricketer. I have got more accuracy and consistency in my bowling now. Glamorgan have not given me a chance with the new ball — I think I have only taken it in a single one-day match, against Sri Lanka A.

“I have not made up my mind what to do about my future. There is a little bit of doubt in my mind. I cannot be approached by another county because I am not out of contract, but there are options open.” Surrey are thought to have shown interest but, as an England contracted player, his availability will be controlled by Fletcher.

Glamorgan themselves are entitled to ask how Jones should be accommodated, given that they won the totesport League first division comfortably without him in 2004. An attack centred on the medium pace of Andrew Davies, David Harrison and Alex Wharf proved highly successful, and Wharf’s performances were recognised with an England call while Harrison is training at the Academy.

Jones was also annoyed to be left out of a championship match, having become available through his omission from the Edgbaston Test against West Indies. He was somewhat dismissive towards Robert Croft, the Glamorgan captain, as he reflected on that particular decision. “Crofty took it for whatever reason,” he said.

England will waste little time in beginning their winter business when they train this morning, less than 24 hours after landing in the Namibian capital. They intend to spend four days practising before the first of two warm-up matches against the national side on Sunday.

Anticipating an exciting finish to the Ashes series, the Oval is selling tickets in advance for the fifth day of the final Test next September. The £10 cost is refundable if the match finishes within four days.