Former England bowler Jones out of contract

London:

Former England fast bowler Simon Jones, an Ashes winner in 2005, will not have his contract renewed by county team Worcestershire.

Jones has failed to overcome a series of injuries that marred his career since the 2005 Ashes series and Worcestershire decision may hasten his retirement.

Jones, 30, played in 18 tests and last appeared for England at Trent Bridge in that 2005 series against Australia. He has since undergone several knee operations and is currently ruled out for the remainder of the English season because of his latest surgery.

"This has been a difficult decision but is in the best interests of the club going forward," Worcestershire director of cricket Steve Rhodes said in a press release.

"We all admire the effort that Simon has put in to regain full fitness and we know he is determined to be fit for the 2010 season. However we are not in the position to offer him a new contract going forward so he is free to talk to any other county about his future."

Jones, who left his native Glamorgan at the end of the 2007 season, claimed 42 wickets at an average of 18.02 to help the club secure promotion to county cricket's first division in 2008.