Spinner Panesar hopeful about playing for England again

Sydney: Brit-Indian left-arm spinner Monty Panesar believes he has a good chance of making a comeback to the England squad early next year against Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

Panesar, who had played 39 Tests for England before being axed, is currently playing grade cricket in Sydney. He said he was keen to avoid the mistakes of the past mistake of not being properly prepared for a national call-up. ``Last time when I had the opportunity to play for England, in a Test match in Chennai, for the three months before I didn`t do any proper training, just some indoor stuff, and when I came in to play I didn`t feel I was prepared properly. Evidently, I didn`t do that well. I don`t want to make that same mistake. If the opportunity presents itself in January, I want to be ready. I want to continue on now from the two good seasons I`ve had with Sussex and get some good cricket and training in warmer weather,” Panesar said. He said it was important for Australia`s promising spinners to be given a chance to settle in to the national side. ``I think, with spinning, once you`ve picked who you want, you`ve got to stick with them and give them an opportunity in different conditions and scenarios,`` a leading daily quoted him, as saying. ``I think you`ve got to let a spinner have a good run. The more games you play, the more relaxed you tend to feel about your role. You`ve got to get a fair go, no matter which spinner you choose to select,`` he added. Panesar said he rated Australian left-arm orthodox bowler Michael Beer highly. ``I saw him bowl at Sydney. He seems like a nice spinner with a good action. Australia`s got some good options, I believe, but I think it`s important to let whoever they go with settle in to the role and feel comfortable,`` 29-year-old Panesar said. ANI