There was a measure of Richard Jones' transformation from an Aucklander before this season to a Wellingtonian at its end in his reaction to the passing comment of a friend who dared use the dread term JAFA in his presence today.

No longer Just Another Friggin' Aucklander - or worse depending on one's grasp of the vernacular - Jones visibly bridled and fixed the friend with a withering stare. "No bloody JAFAs here mate. We're all from Wellington."

That Jones feels such an affection for Wellington so quickly, such a tie to the city in so short a time, owes a great deal to the success he has experienced since he moved his provincial allegiance south for the city of cellphones and latte.

He has to his credit in his last four Shell Trophy matches three centuries including his first in first-class play in Christchurch more than a month ago. These have been innings of 145, 188 against Otago and 147 which concluded today against Northern Districts and Jones has now banked in a season of spectacular opening partnerships with Wellington captain Matthew Bell more than 700 runs. He is in short a very much better player than he was when he left Auckland in search of a new start, discarding the baggage of a short and unsuccesful career in that province.

Jones gives some credit to the example of Bell for his success this season. It is as if his captain, who has scored five Trophy centuries, simply infected him with the bug for so doing and, having caught the virus, he hasn't been able to lose it.

"Obviously to get the first one was the hardest part," Jones said today after being out to the third ball of the third day of the Trophy match at the Basin Reserve between Wellington and Northern Districts and without adding to his 147 which he had compiled entirely on the second day.

"I think having got the first, then you realise how to go about doing it. Then I had a bit of a purple patch and the other hundreds followed."

Jones agrees that he is a much better player, by revealed results, at the end of this season than he was, by reputation or achievement, when it began. He says Wellington has transformed him, has given him opportunity, focus and enthusiasm.

"I think success has a lot to do with your surroundings and with the work ethic you get involved with," he said. "For that reason, this Wellington team has brought a lot out of me but it even has to do with where you play and the Basin Reserve is the nicest ground in New Zealand. That seems to make a difference in itself.

"The involvement with this Wellington team has helped. All of the guys are doing well and at various times every guy has held up his hand. The partnership with Matthew has also made a difference. It's hard not to learn how to score hundreds when the guy at the other end scores five."

Jones fits into the category of late developer which has recently been given a new vogue with the national selectors by the success of players such as Mark Richardson. Yet he scoffs at the suggestion his new-found form might fit him for selection for a New Zealand 'A' side. Clearly, he has never considered that possibility, then Bell interrupts the interview to endorse the reporters' suggestion that it might happen.

Jones repeats he has not even considered the possibility and says his only interest is to score runs for Wellington. He is enjoying this late summer in his career - this maturity.

"I think once you get older you know your game better," Jones said. "You don't think you're the best thing since sliced bread. I think when I was young my expectations were too great. I thought I could go out and play shots all around the world.

"But as you get older you narrow down your shot selection, you become more professional and you recognise your strengths."

Jones also endorses the qualities of Wellington coach Vaughn Johnson - a man apparently under pressure to hold his job at times this season - who he says fosters rather than stifles talent.

"He's been really good for me," he said. "Coming from another association, you're never sure how you'll be received but Vaughn's been great. He's very open to different ideas and he doesn't pressure you. He lets you do your own thing. There are disciplines in the side, as there always are, but Vaughn doesn't stifle talent, he encourages it."

One imagines much more will be seen of Richard Jones in coming seasons. When he came to Wellington he gave himself a couple of seasons to revive his career or end it. This season and the success which he accepts with a mixture of satisfaction and surprise seems likely to only encourage him to better things.

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