Last updated: 13th August 2008
Panesar in full voice
The umpires kind of find it amusing at times, but it's just the enthusiasm that comes out.
Monty Panesar
Quotes of the week
Monty Panesar believes he has developed as a spin bowler this summer, despite recent criticism of his performances.
The slow left-armer is well established as England's first choice in Tests, having taken 114 wickets in 33 appearances since his debut in March 2006.
And while Panesar has no rivals for his spot in the Test side, his critics, including Australian legend Shane Warne, point to a lack of variety in his bowling.
"The summer has been pretty good for me," said Panesar. "I've enjoyed my Test cricket and I've learned a few things about myself.
"The way I have played my cricket, it's improving.
"I haven't heard what Shane Warne has said but from my personal point of view I do feel that adding variation to my pace, changing my angles, maybe having different tactics in terms of my field settings and making the right decisions at the right time, is an important stage of my development.
"I feel it will make me into a better bowler. I've been playing international cricket now for a couple of years and I guess people get more of an idea of how I bowl and how I try to get people out.
"It is something I strive every day for. I am determined to work on my game. It gives me a sense of positive energy knowing that I am working on certain areas and it excites me."
Panesar's trademark exuberant appealing has also become a cause for concern with the 26-year-old appearing to cross the line into dissent at times during the 2-1 series defeat to South Africa.
"Probably when I take a wicket the enthusiasm and passion that comes out is just a genuine love for the game that I have," he added.
"It is something that I definitely try and enjoy as much as I can. Even when I am celebrating I am probably getting over-excited, jumping, doing all sorts.
"But it is just the sheer passion I have for the game that naturally comes out when I get a wicket.
"There is just a mutual understanding with the umpires where it is just sheer excitement that comes out. We both have that understanding where it's excitement and passion coming out into the appealing.
"The umpires kind of find it amusing at times, but it's just the enthusiasm that comes out.
"I get along with all the umpires really well and have a good banter as well. I just enjoy playing international cricket so much that maybe that childhood excitement comes out."
Panesar also played down worries over his fielding ability, which caused him to become the subject of England team-mate Ryan Sidebottom's ire during the Edgbaston defeat.
"We are just having banter about it now and having a joke about it," he said of the incident.
"It is all good fun. Sometimes in cricket when everyone is passionate about the game, frustration does come out.
"But in the general context it shows how badly we all want to win and it's a healthy thing to have."
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| Fixture |
|---|
| Saturday 4th July |
| Test Match First Test Match |
| Sri Lanka vs Pakistan |
| Tour Match Four Day Match |
| England Lions vs Australia |
| Varsity Match 1 Day Annual Varsity Match |
| Oxford UCCE vs Cambridge UCCE |
| Sunday 5th July |
| Friends Provident Friends Provident Semi Final |
| Lancashire vs Hampshire |
| Sussex vs Gloucestershire |
| One Day Int Fourth Match |
| West Indies vs India |
| Women's ODI 4th Match |
| England Women vs Australia Women |
| Monday 6th July |
| U-19 Test Series 1st Match |
| England Under 19 vs Bangladesh Under 19 |
| Tuesday 7th July |
| County Championship - Div 1 |
| Warwickshire vs Sussex |
| County Championship - Div 2 |
| Northamptonshire vs Derbyshire |
| Result |
|---|
| Friday 3rd July |
| County Championship - Division One |
| Somerset vs Yorkshire Somerset won by 4 wickets. |
| Nottinghamshire vs Lancashire Match Drawn |
| Durham vs Worcestershire Durham won by 5 wickets. |
| County Championship - Division Two |
| Middlesex vs Surrey Match Drawn |
| Kent vs Gloucestershire Kent won by 76 runs. |
| Derbyshire vs Leicestershire Match Drawn |
| Friendly Match |
| Warwickshire vs England Match Drawn |
| One Day International Series |
| West Indies vs India India won by 6 wickets. (Revised target - Duckworth-Lewis system) |
| Women's One Day International Series |
| England Women vs Australia Women England Women won by 2 wickets. |
| Tuesday 30th June |
| Women's One Day International Series |
| England Women vs Australia Women England Women won by 55 runs. |
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