Monty makes his point
Monty Panesar's five-star display on day one of the Perth Test made his previous absence look crazier than ever.
Not picking the left-arm spinner for the first two Ashes matches was like turkeys voting to take goose off the Christmas menu.
Today's 5-92 took his Test tally to 37 wickets in just his 11th match.
So Panesar's record compares favourably with that of the legendary Derek Underwood, who many regard as England's finest post-war spinner.
After his 11th Test, Underwood, also a left-armer, had taken two wickets fewer than Panesar.
The Luton-born spinner was simply magnificent on his Ashes debut and his performance should be placed in its full context.
No English spinner has ever taken five wickets at the WACA in its 36-year history as a Test venue.
The Perth pitch offered pace and bounce on day one, but no great spin. Yet Panesar fully exploited the conditions, with control and bounce his main weapons.
Panesar has played very little cricket on the tour and any rustiness would have been understandable.
Three of his victims - Justin Langer, Andrew Symonds and Adam Gilchrist - are top international batsmen. So it was not just a case of mopping up the tail.
The Northamptonshire spinner had to carry a huge weight of expectation on his shoulders and must have felt under some pressure to justify his selection.
That he responded with such assurance and determination shows exactly why he should have been in the side from the outset.
It is criminal that England waited until they were 2-0 down in the series before picking Panesar.
I've had my say, now you have yours by posting comments to this website.
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posted by Rob Wightman @ 10:57 am
2 comments
2 Comments:
Agree with you completely there Rob. It sounds like Panesar bowled outstandingly on day one and has put us in a position to take control of the test. Harmison is also worth a mention as it sounds like he came to the party for the first time this tour. Shame we lost a couple of early wickets, but nevertheless, the England batsman have an opportunity to put us firmly in charge on day 2... here's hoping!!
I was reluctant to post a comment on the back of the euphoria that followed day one and what can only be described as England’s finest day in the series so far. Having watched day two unfold, it appears that my caution was well founded.
Why oh why are the batsmen continuing to play ill-advised shots and failing to capitalise on good starts. Strauss and Cook need to get a fifty under their belts, Flintoff needs to find some form, thank goodness for Harmison and Monty, otherwise the innings today would have been a total disaster.
Clearly the Aussies took the psychological advantage and first ball aside, the bowling has looked ordinary again. I cannot understand why a rejuvenated Harmison did not take the new ball, Flintoff looked ragged in his opening three over spell. Monty started to look promising, but I fear for a long day in the field tomorrow and chasing a final innings score of 370 may be too much this time.
Finally a few words on Jones’ four ball duck, ‘World Class’!
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