Monty still a world beater, says spin partner Swann
Graeme Swann says Northants spinner Monty Panesar will shrug off his indifferent form and shine for England in this summer's Ashes – and that he is still 'a world beater'.
Northampton-born Swann has ousted Panesar as England's number one spinner thanks to his exceptional Test performances over the winter and this summer.
Panesar, meanwhile, has slipped off the international radar a little, and has also struggled in county cricket for Northants, picking up just six first-class wickets in almost 200 overs this year.
But the left-armer has been selected in the 16-man Ashes training squad, and will next week have the perfect chance to remind everybody what he is capable of when he plays for England in their three-day warm-up game against Warwickshire at Edgbaston.
With England expected to name two spinners for the first Test against Australia in Cardiff on July 8, Panesar is still in the driving seat to partner Swann, despite the emergence of leg-spinner Adil Rashid, and if he is selected, Swann is in no doubt Panesar will rise to the occasion.
"Monty is a very good bowler," said Swann, who when asked what Panesar's problem has been over the past 12 months, added: "I don't think he has a problem. It's probably a confidence thing more than anything.
"I haven't seen him a great deal this season because he hasn't been in the one-day squad, so it's very hard to catch up with anybody outside of the England team if you're not playing for the same county.
"But Monty is still bowling pretty much the same as he always has done.
"One day he will run up and get a wicket with his first ball, it will turn square and he will be back and bouncing around again.
"And when he bowls with that exuberance and attitude he is a world beater."
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Friday 10 February 2012
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