English left-arm spinner Monty Panesar has expressed his willingness to play in the back-to-back Ashes series, starting from July, in view of his 'last stand' during the drawn Tests series against New Zealand and the 2009 Ashes.
Just as his famous last stand with James Anderson at Cardiff repelled the Australians for 69 balls in the 2009 Ashes series, Panesar became England's unlikely saviour for the second time during the drawn Test series against New Zealand, which he rescued along with Matt Prior in the last wicket stand with 19 balls to negotiate, the Mirror reports.
Recalling his contributions in the 2009 Ashes series, Panesar, who has played 48 Tests, said that it is hope to play for the Ashes again this year, saying that given a chance, he will show the same determination which helped England win the Ashes in 2009 and save the earlier Test series against New Zealand this year with a draw.
According to Panesar, it is a part of his Sikh DNA that he has a warrior outlook and is able to rise to the challenge, adding that he is desperate to have the opportunity to fight again in the Ashes this year as he feels that his best is yet to come.
Stating that he has played the Ashes only on home ground, Panesar said that he mainly wants to show his prowess in Test matches with the ball despite batting being a part of his duties, although he added that he needed to make sure that his rhythm is good and he is bowling well.
Stating that England could not have a better man than himself for the 2009 series, Panesar said that although the pitches and the game were dull in both Cardiff and Auckland, he, however, had a simple game plan-resolving to keep out anything on the stumps and leave anything that is short or wide, which he planned to use also this year, if he is selected for the squad.
Panesar further said that playing cricket is complicated as playing chess at times, adding that even though he is primarily a bowler, he used to bat at No.3 for Luton Indians in club cricket, where his coach used to rate his batting more than his bowling.