Monty Panesar will be up to the task, says Mushtaq Ahmed, if England play two spinners at the Oval.
Spinner will be sound choice if Oval pitch offers turn, says Monty
Mushtaq Ahmed says Monty Panesar is a match-winner who can bowl England to Ashes glory at the Oval.
The former Pakistani leggie, now England's spin coach, believes the Northants slow bowler can help decide the fate of the urn in this week's crunch fifth and final Test against Australia despite his torrid season.
Panesar has picked up just 14 first-class wickets at an average of over 60 this term, returning 1-115 in his only Ashes appearance of the summer - the first Test at Cardiff where his last-ditch 10th-wicket stand with James Anderson saved England from defeat.
But Mushtaq is confident the left-armer can deliver if he's selected to partner fellow spinner Graeme Swann in the decisive match of the series, which is tantalisingly poised at 1-1.
"They both bowled well at Cardiff but the wicket was so slow," said Mushtaq, speaking from Hove where he was leading a session of
Sky Sports' ECB Coach Education Programme.
"Sometimes you bowl brilliantly but batsman play you with little difficulty because there is no pace in the wicket.
"Both of them are match-winners; they have done it many times in their careers so you have to believe in their ability and make sure that they believe in themselves. It's very important to have that self-confidence.
"This is the time when we have to stay strong with Monty. He is bowling beautifully in the nets and we are having good times. Every day is not a Friday; if you do not do well on a Friday it's important to remember that a Saturday will be coming along when everything can change."
Bounce
Earlier this year Sky Sports commentator Shane Warne criticised Panesar, saying his bowling lacked variety, but Mushtaq believes now is not the time for the 27-year-old to experiment.
"Monty has a wrist that gives him the potential to bowl a doosra but at the moment we are not trying too many different things.
"A finger-spinner generally doesn't have lots of variation - they can bowl good left-arm orthodox spin and maybe an arm ball but the rest of their armoury is not like a leg-spinner's.
"Look at Daniel Vettori. He is a Test-class left-arm spinner who has an excellent arm ball, but they are the two deliveries he can bowl. After that he just has to experiment with his variation pace wise. You can always do that when you are in good shape and getting wickets.
"When you don't get wickets, whether you are Warney or myself, you have to remember your basics and then build up your confidence. That's where Monty's at and he's doing a great job. The world will be beautiful for him again soon."
Intense
Andrew Flintoff is widely expected to return to England's starting XI after his injury-enforced absence from the heavy fourth Test defeat at Headingley, the selectors have plenty of bowling options to consider ahead of the opening day on Thursday.
Seamers Steve Harmison, Graham Onions, Ryan Sidebottom and Stuart Broad have all been included in a 14-man squad but Mushtaq says judging conditions correctly at the Oval will be crucial to England's victory aspirations.
"Sometimes you can turn up at the Oval assuming it will turn and in fact it will just be flat," he said.
"I found when I was playing that sometimes it was very easy for the batters to come and bat, which made it a nightmare, but at other times you found good pace and bounce, which are very important from a spinner's point of view. So we'll have to see what the wicket is like before making a final decision.
"I've often watched the Ashes from afar so it's very exciting to be right in the thick of it especially with the score as it is. It's like a football match that is 1-1 going into the final 10 minutes with everything to play for - very intense and exciting.
"I would say the atmosphere is as intense as when Pakistan play India, if not more so. It's something I'm used to from that point of view but we are all very excited about the match and the belief in the camp is that we can do it."
Develop
Despite the magnitude of the Test that lies ahead, Mushtaq has found time in his schedule to take part in
Sky Sports' ECB Coach Education Programme - an initiative that aims to develop the game at grassroots level by increasing the number of qualified coaches in the game.
Since it's launch in October 2007, the scheme has trained over 13,000 coaches, double the original target and Mushtaq hopes his participation will help to swell that number sufficiently to cope with a surge in the game's popularity.
"It's fantastic to be in a position to give something back to the game in this way because it enables me to pass on what I have learnt to the people who are aiming to bring through the next generation of talent," he said.
"What I like about this initiative is the set-up because it enables me to talk to the coaches directly. I was speaking to the group just now and I stressed how important it is to not only help develop new skills but to be an effective manager.
"Yes, it is important to develop players but a big part of that is about motivating and inspiring people to do their best; I enjoy that responsibility and hope it is something I can pass on."
The Sky Sports ECB Coach Education Programme has trained over 13,000 coaches in the last two years, more than double the target. Go to ecb.co.uk/development for further information.
