Panesar to push for Test place

Monty Panesar © Getty Images

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Monty Panesar is determined to justify the public’s faith by using the next three days of cricket to force his way into England’s Ashes series thinking.

Northamptonshire’s left-arm spinner became such a cult hero with England’s cricket fans last summer that has been nominated for the BBC’s Sports Personality of the Year award won last year by current captain Andrew Flintoff.

His popularity with the public, however, has not ensured his selection for the opening two Ashes Tests and despite an encouraging return of 32 wickets in his first 10 Tests, England preferred Ashley Giles as their spin option in Brisbane and Adelaide.

But Panesar now has the chance to impress Flintoff and coach Duncan Fletcher during the next three days when he is expected to feature in the traditional one-day match at Lilac Hill against the Chairman’s XI and the two-day match over the weekend against Western Australia.

“It’s very disappointing that I didn’t get the chance to play in the first two Test matches, but you have to back the captain and the coach and the XI that’s out there and help out as much as you can with the off-field stuff.”

So rather than build on a promising start to his career by testing himself against Australia, Panesar has instead concentrated on ferrying drinks as 12th man and endless practice in the nets.

Ashley Giles has struggled for form with ball © Getty Images

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In his absence the tourists have suffered defeats in both the first two Tests and to retain the Ashes they will need to become the first England team in history to overcome a two-Test deficit.

With the series not going England’s way Fletcher has come in for criticism with many arguing Panesar should regain his place in the side.

England have so far retained their faith in Giles because of his ability to add crucial runs at No8, which has done successfully for all but the final innings in Adelaide when he was one of many England batsmen to fail.

But it was Giles’ failure to make more of an impact with the ball on a worn, final day pitch which increased the calls for Panesar to play in the third Test in Perth.

“It’s flattering if people back home are saying nice things and that they want me to play for England and in the Ashes, but selection isn’t in my control,” explained Panesar.

Coach Duncan Fletcher has been criticised for his team selection

“I’ve just got to focus on what I need to do and prepare myself for the games which are coming now and for the Test match as well. I can’t really think about things which aren’t in my control, I’ve just got to focus on my training and my preparation.

"If I get the chance to play in the third Test, I’m not going to put any pressure on myself.

“It’s flattering to see people in England and Australia wanting me to play and it’s nice to hear that. I’m not going to try and put any pressure on myself, I’m just going to try and continue bowling as I have since I started playing international cricket.”

Panesar, though, admits he understands the reasons for his omission and is determined to work hard to improve his batting to increase the chances of future selection.

He said: “I’m continuing to work on the other aspects of my game as well. That’s something that has improved over the summer so I am going in the right direction and that’s something I’ve got to continue doing and hopefully improve as the time goes on.”