Panesar heads to Sri Lanka

14 October 2008

Monty Panesar is set to play in Sri Lanka this winter

England spinner Monty Panesar is set to play club cricket in Sri Lanka this winter as a warm-up for the Test series against India.

Panesar has been a regular member of the Test side since 2006 but is not part of the one-day squad for the Stanford Super Series and the one-day internationals in India.

England coach Peter Moores hopes a spell on the subcontinent will assist his development.

"Monty is going to play in Sri Lanka this winter, a month prior to going to India," he said.

"Details have to be finalised to make sure they're happy to have him and he gets the right position. Hopefully we'll get it all tied down.

"He wants to learn through experience there. He's been there before and knows the conditions are tough.

"They are very good players of spin in Sri Lanka and he will learn a lot. It will also help him get ready for the Test matches because it's such a short series."