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Monty Panesar has called on England selectors to unleash the “spin twins” on Australia in the third Test at Old Trafford.
A third straight Ashes series triumph is already within touching distance, but Panesar encouraged England to go for the jugular by recalling him to partner Lord’s man-of-the-match and spin king Graeme Swann.
Of England bowlers to have played more than one Test at Old Trafford, Panesar has the best average at the ground since Jim Laker in the 1950s.
Panesar has taken 25 wickets in three Tests at Manchester, with an average of 16.72.
The fact the 31-year-old has been included in England’s 14-man squad is a fair indication the deck will spin and Panesar is champing at the bit for his first crack at the Australians since Cardiff in 2009.
“If the wicket’s turning we should definitely play two,” Panesar said.
“Old Trafford turns and I have a good record there. It depends what the selectors think, but if the call comes I’m in a good place.
“I’m very excited about going back there. Hopefully the groundsman is raking that wicket and producing a turning one! I’d love to bowl with Swanny, the spin twins coming together and getting the win would be great.”
Swann and Panesar bowled in tandem in three Tests last year when England scored a shock series win over India on the sub-continent.
Panesar took 17 wickets in the three matches, including 11 in the Test at Mumbai.
In Australia’s tour match at Hove which concluded on Sunday, Panesar took 3-70 and 0-40 for Sussex.
England have shown in the first two Tests that they’re keen to utilise their spin advantage over Australia, who were crushed 4-0 in India earlier this year.
Panesar hasn’t enjoyed much success against Australia in his four Ashes matches to date, but he’s confident he can continue to turn up the heat on Darren Lehmann’s struggling batsmen.
“Definitely. It’s obvious, you know, the England team have put them slightly under pressure,” he said.
“The Australia team is a very competitive team, they are going to come hard at us.
“But you always feel maybe against spin there is an opportunity.
“Selectors have obviously seen improvement in (me) the last couple of games, especially against Australia. It was really important for me to put them under pressure and show the selectors I was in a good place.”
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