Panesar plays down accolades

Monty Panesar © Getty Images

Monty Panesar has played down suggestions he is currently the best finger spinner in world cricket and insists he still has a lot to learn when it comes to the Test-match arena.

The 24-year-old slow-left armer has been a huge find for England, topping the home side’s bowling averages in the drawn series against Sri Lanka and has taken 16 wickets in three Tests against Pakistan.

Panesar’s performance at Headingley, where England took an unassailable 2-0 lead against Pakistan, prompted the usually understated coach Duncan Fletcher to describe him as the “best finger spinner in world cricket”.

But Panesar insists he still has a long way to go and said: “All the spinners and the world-class spinners that I’ve spoken to all say when you get to 30-plus you reach your peak, so I will find out then.

Harbhajan Singh is one of Panesar's heroes as a finger spinner © Getty Images

“I think there are other better finger spinners out there like Daniel Vettori and Harbhajan Singh, they are guys who have taken more than 200 wickets each in Test cricket whereas I’ve only just started out.

“It’s flattering when a coach says something like that though, because I value his comments.”

Panesar has come a long way since making his Test debut against India less than six months ago.

In nine Tests he has taken 31 wickets at an average of 30, and he has won over the previously sceptical Fletcher, not to mention hordes of England fans for whom he has become a cult figure.

The Northamptonshire spinner now looks a cast-iron certainty to go on the Ashes tour this winter, and he admits the prospect of pitting his skills against the Australians fills him with excitement.

“It’s any youngster’s dream to be in an Ashes squad and especially with the cricketers that would be involved with the England squad, makes it something I’m very excited about, if it does happen.

Panesar can't wait to take on the Australians © Getty Images

“I was just as excited watching it on television last year because it was something very special and it would be a dream come true if I could make it into the squad.”

Although few would now question Panesar’s ability with the ball, doubts still exist over his fielding and to a lesser extent his batting.

He is confident he will be able to cope with any flak that might come his way on the field in Australia.

“That’s the style of cricket they play and you’ve just got to accept it, so we’ll just see what happens when that time comes,” he said.

“I’m looking forward to playing in Australia because it will be good for my development as a cricketer.

“You have to vary your pace and bowl differently as batsmen look to come after you and I’m looking forward to that test of my skill.”

Panesar has made such an impact this summer in the Test arena that some expected him to be named in the provisional 30-man squad for the forthcoming ICC Champions Trophy.

Panesar still has hopes of playing one-day cricket © Getty Images

Despite the disappointment of not being included, Panesar insists he would dearly love to play one-day cricket for England at some stage in his career.

“One-day cricket is definitely something I want to play but at the moment I’m just grateful to be involved in the Test arena,” he said.

“I’m trying not to look too far ahead, but hopefully if I can develop in other areas I can be selected in one-day cricket.”

Panesar was recently installed as the favourite to win the BBC Sports Personality award – won last year by Andrew Flintoff – and he is stunned just to be linked with the accolade.

“That would be one of my proudest moments if that did happen,” he said.

“Just for my name to be associated with the award is flattering. I didn’t expect any of this to be honest.”