Former Kent and England wicketkeeper Geraint Jones has reflected on his time playing in the Ashes in Australia.

Having retired from cricket two years ago, Jones has gone into teaching, but will be best known for being part of the 2005 Ashes winning team.

Beating the Aussies in England was the highlight of his career, but found that just over twelve months later his Test spell was over after the 5-0 whitewash down under.

A pair of ducks in Perth brought the end to Jones’ time with England and he admits to Betway Insider that playing in Australia is tough, especially having grown up in Queensland.

The current England side will face a stern test this winter, but could possibly have what it takes to pull off victory in the Aussies own backyard.

Jones was subject to a large amount of “banter” in his time playing for England in Australia, but believes it was against other opposition that he heard some of the best sledging:

“I remember Graeme Smith called me Peter Schmeichel for pretty much the entire tour of South Africa,” he chuckles, “because he thought I’d be a better goalkeeper than wicketkeeper.”

“I think that’s what people probably don’t realise. The chat you get in the middle of an international is never particularly personal.”

“It was more to put you off your train of thought and get you thinking ‘I need some runs. They’re probably right, I need a good score here’, and then, before you know it, you’ve chased a ball that you would have left if you were feeling a bit more relaxed.”

“But I just laughed at it because that was my nature and my way of dealing with it. I tried to use it to focus me and think: ‘I’m going to stick two fingers up to these guys and show everybody that I do deserve my spot’.”

Whilst England will be looking to beat Australia in the Ashes, Jones will be joining up with a number of former Kent colleagues to play in a charity football match.

Jones will don his boots to play in the James Tredwell testimonial match at Folkestone Invicta Football Club with kick off at midday.

A number of current Kent stars including James Tredwell, Daniel Bell-Drummond and Alex Blake are already confirmed as featuring.