Fletcher backing Jones once again

England coach Duncan Fletcher has once again thrown his weight behind Geraint Jones and backed him to perform in the forthcoming Ashes series.

Fletcher confirmed that Jones would be preferred to rival wicketkeeper Chris Read for the first Test against Australia in Brisbane on November 23.

"At this stage we're convinced that Jones will be a better prospect for batting at number seven," Fletcher said. "It's a very, very difficult decision, but we believe Jones will do a better job."

He added: "Looking at the pressure that he's played under before, we believe he handles the pressure better, and technically, we think he's a better batter on these wickets and especially in Test match cricket."

Jones was dropped this summer due to his poor form with the bat but Read's lack of runs in the ICC Champions Trophy has seen the Kent man recalled.

Read is rated is the more accomplished keeper and may feel hard done to having acquitted himself well in the final two Tests against Pakistan in the summer. He batted three times in those matches, scoring 38, 55 and 33.

Jones was an integral figure in England's Ashes success in 2005 but in the 10 innings before he was dropped this year, he failed to pass 19.

Fletcher also revealed James Anderson is ahead of Lancashire club-mate Sajid Mahmood in the pecking order for the fourth seamer's spot at the Gabba.

"I would say at this stage that Jimmy's just the front-runner," he said. "We respect [Mahmood] and I speak highly of him, but we're just concerned about his consistency and that's the one thing that we need going into that first Test.

"We believe Jimmy is a more consistent bowler. We know what we can get out of Jimmy on a day-to-day basis, and that's what we're looking at, at this stage."