phil jaques

Born: 03.05.1979
State: New South Wales
Tests: 2
Role: Opening batsman
Bat: Left-hand
Bowl: Left-arm medium
Bat Average: 32.00
Bowl Average: n/a

A British passport holder, who was interesting England's top brass three years ago, Phil Jaques is well-known on these shores for his consistency with three different employers in county cricket.

A fluent left-hander, Jaques will hope to force his way into the selection shake-up for this eagerly-awaited series.

An injury to Justin Langer and a consistently impressive first-class record in both England and Australia earned Jaques his Test debut against South Africa.

He made only two and 28, but scored a fluent 66 in his second Test against Bangladesh.

Jaques has scored big runs at home for New South Wales, and Englsih county bowlers have felt the full force of Jaques' attacking instincts during productive spells with Northants, Yorkshire and Worcestershire. Hist first-class average is an eye-catching 59.30

At 27 years old, Jaques still has time to establish himself in an ageing Australian top order, but will struggle to displace either Langer or Matthew Hayden this time around.

If he does, England will face a player who has shown he can handle the pressure of international cricket - he made 94 on his ODI debut before being unceremoniously dropped when Simon Katich returned from injury.