Panesar patience rewarded

Panesar picked up a wicket with his seventh ball © Getty Images

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Monty Panesar reaped the rewards for England’s patient approach and claimed a five-wicket return on his belated entry to this winter’s Ashes series in the third Test.

The Northamptonshire left-arm spinner was not selected in the opening two Tests which both ended in victories for Australia.

But he bounced back impressively to claim five for 92 as Australia were dismissed for a lowly 244 and England had reached 51 for two by the close of an eventful opening day at the WACA.

His success was a reward for England’s patience with captain Andrew Flintoff keeping faith with Panesar after he was hit for 17 in one over and he claimed wickets in his next two overs.

“Andrew Flintoff told me to keep bowling,” admitted 24-year-old Panesar, who was hit for two sixes and a four in the same over by all-rounder Andrew Symonds.

“A few of the balls he got hold of were good shots and sometimes you have to acknowledge that. Batsmen do play good shots and he hit really well, but we didn’t panic and I continued with the next over.

Adam Gilchrist fell to Panesar for a duck © Getty Images

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“It was important to stay patient because sometimes batsmen can get on top of you and for us it was important we didn’t change anything and we stuck to what we were good at.”

That patience resulted in Panesar dismissing Symonds and Adam Gilchrist in successive overs and he went on to claim the third five-wicket haul of his career, following previous returns at Trent Bridge against Sri Lanka and at Old Trafford against Pakistan last summer.

“Today, and at Old Trafford when I got my five-for there, were both special days - taking five wickets on a day one pitch is probably up there as one of my best days,” he admitted.

“There is a bit of bounce in the pitch and the odd ball did skid on. I was nervous for the first few overs, but I took my time and didn’t rush into anything and I was pleased with the way the ball came out.”

Panesar also conceded he was not aware what he was doing when he raced around the pitch celebrating his first wicket off his seventh ball when he bowled Justin Langer before lunch.

Brett Lee was Panesar's fifth Ashes victim © Getty Images

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He said: “Whenever I play cricket for England I try to enjoy these sort of moments. I try to be energetic and I try and enjoy it while I’m out there.

“I was quite pumped up and I was jumping around and dancing - I didn’t know what to do. They are special moments in international cricket and I guess you just enjoy them as much as you can.”

Australian Mike Hussey, who battled for over four hours for his unbeaten 74, was certainly impressed with Panesar, adding: “I thought he bowled well but he certainly got the rewards today.

“I thought all the England bowlers bowled well but Panesar got the rewards today and hopefully we’ll play him better in the second innings.

“There wasn’t a lot of spin out there so he bowled with good discipline and got the rewards.

“For a young spinner, which is a pretty tough art, he’s got a good knowledge of his game and understands that discipline is a big thing for a spinner.”