FORMER England fast bowler Simon Jones will be a special guest at Eastnor Cricket Club on Sunday.

Jones, who had spells with Worcestershire, Glamorgan and Hampshire, is officially opening Eastnor’s new pavilion at 1.30pm.

The occasion will be celebrated with a junior coaching and practice session in the morning followed by lunch.

After Jones carries out the official opening, a 20-over-a-side match will take place between fathers and their sons.

Jones was a key part of England’s Ashes triumph over Australia in 2005 – the first time the Three Lions had won the coveted series since 1986-87.

Jones’ international career was curtailed by injury after taking 59 Test wickets at an average of 28.23.

Representatives from the England and Wales Cricket Board and Sport England have been invited to attend this weekend along with the club’s sponsors, representatives from Eastnor Castle Estates and vice-presidents and members of the club.

The England and Wales Cricket Trust provided a £99,999 grant towards the project, which included a £42,000 interest-free loan and £50,000 support from Sport England.

Club treasurer Malcolm Hughes said: “We are delighted with the new pavilion and it is the fruition of many hours of work during the last three years.

“The pavilion facilities are excellent with two large dressing rooms with integral showers and toilets, an enlarged social room, bar and kitchen.

“There are also separate ladies and gents toilets and facilities for people with disabilities.

“All the facilities are to England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) specifications.

“Because the cricket ground is located in scenic countryside and surroundings, we took great care over the aesthetic appearance of the pavilion and are very pleased with the outcome.”

He added: “We consider ourselves fortunate to have raised such a large sum of money to build the pavilion in a period when the country was in such a difficult financial climate.

“We are extremely grateful to the trust for this most generous grant of £99,999 and for the £42,000 interest-free loan and we express our gratitude to Sport England for their support.

“We also acknowledge the project would not have been possible without the support and cooperation of the Eastnor Castle Estates.

“We regard the grants as an investment in cricket at the club for the future and the local community will benefit in the long term.”

EWCT trustee Brian Havill said: “Investing in high-quality cricket facilities will give the grassroots of the game a boost and will be key to sustaining participation in club cricket in the future.

“The new pavilion will be welcomed by all the players and visitors to the club.”

Meanwhile, Eastnor beat bottom club Water Orton by 14 runs in Birmingham and District Premier League Division Two despite slumping to 100 all out.

Their top-scorer was 19 extras but Water Orton fared worse, collapsing to 86 all out in reply.

Shameer Ahmed (4-8), Atiq Ur Rehman (3-13) and Sajid Ali (3-31) took the majority of the wickets.