Ashwin's strength is his cricketing brain, says Monty Panesar

CHENNAI: The last time England toured India four seasons ago, Monty Panesar had a key role to play in Alastair Cook's side winning the four-match Test series 2-1. The 34-year-old, who took 17 wickets in that series at an average of 26.82, is on a comeback trail. Monty, who underwent a surgery on his left shoulder last December, is currently playing for the Campbelltown-Camden Ghosts in the New South Wales' Premier tournament Down Under.

Monty will be watching the upcoming India-England series with a lot of interest. Assessing the visitors' chances in the five-match Tests, Monty said, "It all (depends) on how the spinners bowl. The key batsmen (for me) are Cook and (Joe) Root, and I feel the England's fast bowlers have an upper hand over the Indian fast bowlers."

Monty was the lone left-arm spinner in the English team in 2012. It will be Zafar Ansari, following his debut against Bangladesh in Mirpur last month, who will be doing the duties this time around. Monty feels that doing the basics well is all that a spinner needs to do in order to excel on Indian wickets. "(One must) have the understanding of field placements on different surfaces in India and the pace and trajectory (with which to bowl)," Monty told TOI in an email interview.. England arrive in India after having lost the second Test against Bangladesh, and Monty felt that loss "could be on the back of their minds."

He felt England roping in former Pakistan offie Saqlain Mushtaq is a step in the right direction. "He would help the spinners and fast bowlers as he has experience of playing in India and can help the batsmen prepare against spin bowling too," Monty pointed out. England may not have a quality spinner in their ranks at the moment, but India has no such worries - thanks to their trump card Ravichandran Ashwin. For Monty, Ashwin - over the years - has matured into a thinking bowler. "He (Ashwin) said something very interesting that spin bowling is like software and it needs updating every few months, and that's what he has done. His (Ashwin's) strength is his cricketing brain," said Monty. He believes this Indian side will become a far more potent unit with the addition of Harbhajan Singh. "I wouldn't be surprised if he makes comeback to the India team as his experience will be valuable," Monty mentioned.

Monty last played for the Three Lions back in 2013, but he hasn't given up hopes of making a comeback. "It depends on how the next six months go. I am here (in Australia) strengthening my shoulder and working hard on my fitness. Doing running, interval training and also working hard on my flexibility and rehab on shoulder. The experience of Campbelltown is going well. (The stint) gives me opportunity to spend a day in the field and get familiar of what it is like fielding 90 overs in a day," said Monty.

Source:The Times of India