Panesar goes back to basics

The thought of bowling to Brendon McCullum and Jacob Oram could reduce any slow bowler to a nervous wreck - but not Monty Panesar.

The fearsome New Zealand batsmen have forged reputations as two of the hardest hitters in the game and both will relish the flat wicket and short square boundaries of Lord's.

But Panesar is unruffled, completely unfazed by the prospect of twirling away at a man who recently bludgeoned a Twenty-20 world record 158 not out in the IPL and Oram, who regularly scatters spectators when he opens his broad shoulders.

"I don’t have any specific plans for them," Panesar told ecb.co.uk.

"You just have to do the basics, do the simple things. New Zealand are a good outfit, they are a tougher opposition than people recognise. But we are aware of their capabilities and I am looking forward to playing them."

With his black patka and trademark wide-eyed celebration, Panesar is one of the most familiar characters in world cricket. But his place as one of the game's elite spinners was earned through more than just sheer talent - the shy spinner works hard perfecting his art.

After returning from the series win in New Zealand, where his six wickets in the second innings at Napier propelled England to a 2-1 victory, Panesar got straight back to bowling for his county, a work ethic that ensures there will be no ring rust when Michael Vaughan throws him the ball this week.

"I’m feeling good," said Panesar, who has taken 92 Test wickets in 26 matches. "I’ve played a lot of cricket with Northants and got a lot of overs under my belt, hopefully that will put me in good stead coming into the series.

"I prefer to have bowled a lot, it’s important from my personal point of view. It gives me more confidence knowing I have bowled a lot of overs and have had a lot of match practice."

The 26-year-old is in line to play his fifth Test at Lord's, a ground where he has enjoyed success from the moment he first marked out his run-up.

"The first time I came here was as a player," he recalled. "It was for Northants against Middlesex and I got a wicket with my first ball – Andrew Strauss. I don’t remind him of that though."

The good times have continued to roll for the fans' favourite, peaking last summer when he returned 6-129 against the West Indies.

"I have good memories of playing here," he added. "It’s always special playing at Lord’s. The history of place, being the home of cricket, the fans that come here. It has an excitement to it, it gives you a buzz."

Approximately 2,000 tickets for Thursday's play in the npower Test between England and New Zealand will go on sale at 9am from the North Gate Sales Point in Wellington Place.

They will be priced at £65 and £60 for adults, and £20 for Under-16s (subject to availability).