Murali can pump up Panesar

Spin bowler Monty Panesar is hoping to learn from Muttiah Muralitharan © Getty Images

Monty Panesar is planning to watch and learn and seize his chance to pick the brains of Muttiah Muralitharan before the end of England's three-Test series with Sri Lanka.

The 24-year-old left-arm spinner is desperate to accelerate his development into a slow bowler capable of performing at the highest level after an impressive start to his Test career.

He is already renowned for the meticulous planning and preparation he puts into each match, which includes individual field settings for each batsman, and is determined to use all the information available to him - including the knowledge of rival spinners.

"Murali is a bowler I really admire because he has so many variations and always keeps the batsman guessing," enthused Panesar.

Panesar considers Murali to be one of the greatest spinners ever © Getty Images

"He's a world class spinner and someone I look up to. I want to learn from people like him and observe what he's doing.

“I like talking to different spinners because they always have something different to offer, something you might be able to use in the nets."

Panesar's open-minded attitude is in complete contrast to previous England spinners like Lancashire's Chris Schofield, who was reluctant to approach legendary Pakistan leg-spinner Abdul Qadir during a net session at Melbourne with England in 1998.

But in recent years, England players have more readily accepted advice from outside their own coaching environments with Hampshire's Shaun Udal openly picking the brains of Shane Warne, while Andrew Flintoff has consulted West Indies legend Viv Richards about his batting.

Panesar intends to do the same with Muralitharan, who has claimed 611 Test wickets in 103 appearances, and said: "When you're playing against someone like Murali it's a good opportunity to see what he does.

Murali has claimed over 600 Test wickets © Getty Images

"Hopefully I may be able to talk to him at the end of the series and see what advice he could give me.

“I got a chance to talk to Harbhajan Singh when I was in India and I obviously watched how he bowled.

"Players like that have the added variation but they also have great experience of how to bowl to different batsmen, how to adjust field settings and how to adjust different game-plans depending how the batsman is playing - I was always watching how they played just to try and gather information for myself."

Panesar warmed up for the start of the npower series, which begins on Thursday at Lord's, by producing impressive figures of 26.3-12-32-5 to help Northamptonshire beat Somerset in last week's round of Liverpool Victoria championship matches.

But he is aware his chances of playing his maiden home Test could depend on the conditions between now and then, which will determine whether England field a spinner or field an all-seam attack.

"I've got a good rhythm going," he said. "I've got the odd one to turn and because the wickets are not that dry, I'm getting the odd one to skid on.

Panesar also sought advice off Harbhajan © Getty Images

"I'm hoping the balance of the side will include a spin bowler. Spinners normally come into play in the second innings, but it will really depend on the conditions.

"It's not going to be that different from bowling in India. You still have to bowl in the right areas and not try to complicate things too much - I'm just trying to keep it simple."

Panesar's inclusion in the 13-man squad followed an impressive tour to India when he claimed three wickets on his debut in Nagpur, including that of Sachin Tendulkar as his first Test scalp.