Marsh backs Monty for Ashes

Monty Panesar worked with Rod Marsh at the National Academy

England's new spin whizz Monty Panesar could be a potent weapon in the upcoming Ashes series, according to his former coach Rod Marsh.

While much of the focus has been on the pace attack that spearheaded England's 2-1 Ashes victory last year, Marsh believes Panesar has what it takes to succeed on Australian wickets.

“Technically I think he's a very fine bowler,'' Marsh told Australian Associated Press.

“He's got as good an action as I reckon I've ever seen on a finger spinner. There's not much that can go wrong with him.”

The 24-year-old left-armer, the first Sikh to play for England, rocketed into Ashes contention with eight wickets in England's morale-boosting innings victory over
Pakistan at Old Trafford this week.

Panesar took 5 for 72 on the last day, including the prize scalps of Inzamam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Yousuf and Younis Khan.

“They've got to bring him here (for the Ashes),” said Marsh, who helped guide Panesar's development when he was in charge of the England Cricket Academy.

Marsh believes he will be a big hit in Australia.

“He's become a bit of a cult figure in England. The crowds will love him here - one way or the other,” he said.

“I'm sure the Australian batsmen will go after him, but they'll do that against any spinner.

“He's got good flight. He hasn't got much variation, but he's got good drift. He puts a lot on the ball, he's got extremely long fingers ... he's good.

Rod Marsh thinks Monty Panesar could be a big hit during the Ashes in Australia © ECB

“If you can bowl finger spinners well in England there's no reason why you can't bowl them well here.”

Marsh pointed to Derek Underwood and Phil Tufnell as proof that English left-arm spinners can succeed in Australia.

“Monty's a lovely bloke - hasn't got a bad bone in his body. Of all the young blokes that I've been involved with, none loved the game more than him.”

Marsh remembers Panesar emailing him every week to find out whether he could come and bowl at the Academy batsmen when they were based at Loughborough University, where Panesar was a student.

He went to Australia last year with the English academy and got his break in Test cricket in India late last year.

He has taken 25 wickets in eight Tests, including five-wicket hauls in two of his last three matches.