Panesar in Squad for India Tour

Monty Panesar, the Northamtonshire left-arm spinner, has been confirmed as the final member of the England party for the upcoming tour to India. He has been drafted in as backup for number one spinner Ashley Giles, who is doubtful with a long-term hip injury.

Panesar, 23, fought off opposition from Alex Loudoun and Ian Blackwell to secure his place in the squad after a strong domestic season in 2005, when he took 46 County Championship wickets at an average off 21.54. The main debate now is whether Panesar can leapfrog veteran Shaun Udal, who was disappointing in Pakistan, for the Test spinner’s berth. If Panesar was to make his debut, he would become the first Sikh to represent the full England side.