|
Abu Dhabi: Pakistan's former leg-spinner and current spin coach for England, Mushtaq Ahmad, feels Monty Panesar will have much success during the upcoming tour of India.
"Panesar is a much improved bowler now and he has already proved he is a match-winner," said Mushtaq, who was in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday as etisalat's brand ambassador.
"He is much more mature now and I feel his best is yet to come."
Commenting on the scarcity of world-class leg spinners, Mushtaq said there were quite a few upcoming ones - India's Piyush Chawla and Amit Sharma, and Adil Rasheed, who plays for Yorkshire, to name three.
"The problem with teams is that they expect leg spinners to start taking wickets once they are played in the team. I think if one does not do well and are dropped, they should be followed in the domestic form," he said.
"A good leg spinner should be given the confidence that he can play for the next 10-15 years and he should be groomed. They are a rare breed and should be handled with care."
Good players
Asked about England's chances against the Indian spinners on slow tracks, Mushtaq said: "England have some good players of spin like [Paul] Collingwood, [Kevin] Pieterson, [Owais] Shah and [Ian] Bell. Once one of them get a big hundred and puts runs on the board, the bowlers can take over," said Mushtaq.
Comparing India's two leg spinners, Piyush Chawla and Amit Mishra, Mushtaq said Chawla looked more a one-day bowler while Mishra was the Test type.
"Chawla is quicker in the air, young and a good fielder. Mishra has more variation, varies his pace and must be given credit for his recent performance against Australia," he said.
Asked if it was a difficult decision to leave the Indian Cricket League and take up the England job, Mushtaq said: "First, I have a knee problem. Second, having played cricket at the highest level I was not keen to sit on the sidelines and watch others play. And finally, it was my passion for spin bowling that prompted me to take up the England job. Hopefully it will be for three years and I am thoroughly enjoying it."
|
