Underwood urges selectors to back Panesar

Derek Underwood, the former England left-arm spinner, has urged the selectors to persist with Monty Panesar this summer, saying that England have in their ranks an attacking spinner capable of bowling sides out twice.

Panesar made his Test debut during the tour of India as a replacement for Ashley Giles, England's premier left-arm spinner, who has been out of action with a hip injury and whose future remains uncertain due to it.

After a promising debut in India, Panesar was an automatic choice for the first Test against Sri Lanka at Lord's. But Andrew Flintoff, the England captain, was criticised for underbowling him, especially in Sri Lanka's second innings. Panesar didn't get a bowl in the first innings but struck with two important wickets in his 27 overs in the second, though he was largely confined to watching the fast bowlers toil, with the captain himself sending down over 50 overs.

"The thing I like about Panesar is that he always runs in with the purpose of getting wickets," Underwood told The Times. "He tries to get the better of opponents, not contain them. He looks capable of bowling out a side on a turning wicket and England haven't had a spinner like that since Phil Tufnell."

He was quick to point out, however, that Giles was still in the reckoning, highlighting his utility to the side. "Ashley has done a great job with bat and ball," Underwood said, "but in India Panesar learnt to vary the pace of his bowling."

Underwood was speaking at the launch of a junior section of the Primary Club, a charitable organisation of which he is patron. Andrew Strauss, the England opener and president of the club, was also present.