Graveney hails England heroes

Monty Panesar © Getty Images

David Graveney hailed the new bowling partnership that has reinvigorated England’s summer with an emphatic second npower Test victory over Pakistan.

England’s chairman of selectors has battled all summer to try to find the right balance to the side after suffering long-term injuries to Andrew Flintoff (ankle), Michael Vaughan (knee), Ashley Giles (hip), Simon Jones (knee) and James Anderson (knee).

But Graveney and his fellow selectors succeeded magnificently at Old Trafford as England’s patched-up side clinched an innings and 120-run victory inside three days with man-of-the-match Steve Harmison and left-arm spinner Monty Panesar dismissing the tourists for 222 on Saturday.

Their displays - sharing 19 wickets between them on the 50th anniversary of Jim Laker’s historic 19-90 against Australia at Old Trafford - has boosted England’s hopes of sealing victory in the four-Test npower series despite their long list of absentees.

Steve Harmison picked up 11 wickets in total © Getty Images

For now, though, Graveney is just happy to acknowledge the contribution of two players who were both under pressure in the build-up to Old Trafford following the disappointment of the drawn opening Test at Lord’s.

“The two of them combined very well,” enthused Graveney. “It’s a major irony that they have 19 wickets between them on the 50th anniversary of Laker’s achievement.

“Even the guys who did not take wickets all made an important contribution, but the key was building pressure at both ends and while Steve or Monty was taking wickets at one end the other was building pressure at the other.”

Graveney, as a former spin bowler himself, was particularly impressed with the efforts of Panesar, who shrugged off competition from uncapped Jamie Dalrymple for the spinner’s role to claim five of the first six wickets on Saturday.

“Throughout his Test career Monty has only ever bowled at sub-continent batsmen, who are good players of spin, so it shows how well he is bowling,” he said.

Panesar has adapted well to Test cricket © Getty Images

“Everyone says it takes a while to adapt to Test cricket, but the England team dressing room is a good place to come into as has been shown by the number of young players who have come in and done well straight away.”

But Graveney was equally impressed with Harmison, who finished with match figures of 11-76 after finishing wicket-less as England pushed for victory on the final day at Lord’s.

“Steve has come back very well,” added Graveney. “It was a wicket which was quick and had bounce and helped our attack, but we did bowl extremely well.

“I’m sure Steve would be the first to say that Kevin Shine (bowling coach) has helped him since Lord’s, helping iron out the minor glitches and help him bowl like he has at Old Trafford.”