Winds of change help Monty

Kiwis still confident despite disappointing batting performance

Last updated: 25th May 2008

Monty Panesar England bowling at Lords

Panesar: Six-wicket haul on day three in Manchester

My fellow fast bowlers weren't too happy (bowling into the wind) but I got the wickets and did them a favour.

Monty Panesar
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Monty Panesar felt a switch of ends was the major reason behind his stunning six-wicket haul that helped England stay alive in the second Test.

The left-arm spinner picked up 6-37 as New Zealand slumped to 114-9 in their second innings, They had held a lead of 179 after both teams had batted once.

Chasing a target of 294, England reached 76-1 at the close of day three to leave the match firmly in the balance with plenty of time remaining.

After seeing Daniel Vettori pick up 5-66 in the morning session Panesar went one better than his fellow spinner, bowling beatifully with the wind at his back after having to work into the breeze in the Kiwis first innings.

Impression

"It is always good to see how Daniel bowls and after seeing the way he bowled in the first innings I knew I had a chance to make an impression," he told Sky Sports.

"There is that sense of expectation but as a spinner you try not to let if affect you and just aim to get the ball in the right areas.

"This pitch has a good bit of turn and bounce and the way I bowl helped get some wickets on it.

"I just swapped ends and bowled with the wind, and a touch quicker today which helped my bowling.

"In the first innings I wasn't hitting my straps - I couldn't control my line and length into the wind so bowling at the other end helped my bowling.

"My fellow fast bowlers weren't too happy (bowling into the wind) but I got the wickets and did them a favour."

Panesar added: "We have set a good platform and hopefully we can build on it tomorrow with our batting line-up."

Belief

Despite a disappointing batting performance Iain O'Brien believes New Zealand still have an excellent chance of victory.

The seamer proved an excellent foil to skipper Vettori in the morning session, picking up the wicket of Ian Bell as England were bowled out for 202.

Now he hopes to do the same again on day four with the home side still needing another 218 for victory on a wearing pitch.

He said: "There is a good mood in the dressing room - 16 wickets fell today so we have to be confident it will be the same tomorrow.

"Maybe England are back in the match but the with pitch doing quite a bit there are still plenty of runs to get yet.

"We will be looking to Dan (Vettori) to lead the attack with the state of the pitch but we have a chance to get them from both ends so there is no reason why we can't all chip in."