Former England spinner gives his view on the next generation
Ashley Giles believes Graeme Swann could replace Monty Panesar in the England Test squad in the near future.
Former England spinner Giles thinks Swann's experience with the bat could persuade the selectors to give him the nod ahead of Panesar.
Giles told the Daily Telegraph: "Monty has done well. But if someone like Swanny bowls well, and gets some runs also, then there's that niggling thing about 'what else does Monty offer us?'
"That's not me saying that, that's just how it is. Whereas last winter it was 'why is Ashley playing? - Monty should be playing'. It might not be long before we get 'Monty is playing, why isn't Swanny playing? He offers us a bit more'.
"That's just the natural scheme of things."
Need to learn
England take on Sri Lanka in three Tests and Swann is likely to make his Test bow during the series after impressing in the one-day arena.
Panesar, who has picked up 73 wickets in 20 Tests, recently revealed that he does not consider himself to be the primary spinner in the England team.
"I don't see myself as the No 1 spin bowler in the side.
"The only reason I say that is because I am still young and need to learn. That number one tag is quite a strong statement."
