Jones, 19 batsman to watch

REMEMBER the name Mike Jones.

The Torquay opening batsman is every chance to be leading Scotland into the 2019 ICC World Cup. Just 19 years old, Jones has had a calendar year he’ll never forget.

In his opening knock of the English summer, Jones plundered 173 not out for Scotland A against Durham County’s second XI.

It kicked off a season which saw Jones bash close to 3000 runs — if not more — across all forms of the game, earning himself a senior Durham academy contract.

In comparison, his start to the GCA2 season looks minuscule — 244 runs at 48.8, including an innings of 104 against Manifold Heights.

“I mean, it’s been a decent start but hopefully the form will continue and I’ll just get better,” Jones said yesterday.

“I’m happy with the start but hopefully I’ll go on and make a few more scores.”

Jones — who played at Eastern Suburbs in Sydney last summer — will resume the batting at one not out, with Torquay no wickets down in pursuit of Newtown & Chilwell’s total of 212.

“It’s been decent weather this week so the pitch should be decent and the lads are in decent form, so hopefully we can chase them down,” Jones said.

“The club seems to have a lot of depth in it, even though there have been a few players out or away, but when everyone’s back in and involved it’s going to be tough competition for places.”

And while a fruitful campaign beckons for Torquay, an international career is on the cards for Jones.

Having just been awarded his ICC qualification, Jones will be allowed to represent Scotland — the birth place of his mother — at international level.

“Hopefully when I go back next year I have a decent run and I might get a go,” he said.