• England Cricket

Flower slams 'naive' Panesar

ESPN staff
July 27, 2011
Monty Panesar has claimed 126 Test scalps in his career © PA Photos
Enlarge

England team director Andy Flower has banned spinner Monty Panesar from reprising his role as net bowler to India legend Sachin Tendulkar.

Panesar, who has an ECB incremental contract, invited criticism by holding a private practice session with Tendulkar at Lord's ahead of the first Test, which England won by 196 runs.

He spent an afternoon sending down deliveries to Tendulkar, prompting suggestions that he was helping the Indians ahead of a series that is set to determine the planet's No. 1 Test outfit.

Ahead of the second Test at Trent Bridge, Flower has told England's understudy to Graeme Swann that he will not be allowed to repeat the exercise.

"Monty did bowl to him," Flower said. "I think it was quite a naive thing to do and it won't happen again."

But Panesar, who has 126 Test wickets to his name, claims the experience was as much for his benefit as it was Tendulkar's.

"I wasn't trying to help India, I was getting some advice from such a great player," he said. "I was learning from him. The chance to bowl at him and get some tips was a massive benefit for me."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
Close

ABOUT COOKIES

To help make this website better, to improve and personalize your experience and for advertising purposes, are you happy to accept cookies and other technologies.

More Info Here Cookie Choices