Panesar selected for practice match
Monty will finally get his chance down under
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Thursday, 07, Dec 2006 11:33
England spinner Monty Panesar will be given the chance to stake a claim for a Test place as he lines up for an England Invitational XI at Lilac Hill on Friday.
The tourist's side will be lead by former England captain Alec Stewart and will also feature fellow retirees Adam Hollioake and Robin Smith. Test opener Justin Langer will lead out the Australian Chairman's XI.
The other four members of England's main Ashes touring party - Chris Read, Ed Joyce, Sajid Mahmood and Liam Plunkett - have also been selected along with three Academy players.
A key omission from the starting XI is former England captain Michael Vaughan, who is on the comeback trail after undergoing knee surgery.
The Yorkshire captain is being rested and will line up in another game scheduled for this weekend against Western Australia.
However, all eyes will be on Panesar, with many pundits hoping that the left-arm spinner will make a big enough impression to prompt his selection for the third Ashes Test in Perth next week.
England coach Duncan Fletcher has so far resisted media pressure to select the young Northamptonshire player, instead opting for veteran Ashley Giles.
Fletcher claims Giles' batting is crucial at number eight for Test matches against the dangerous Australians, although many pundits believe this only succeeds in undermining the confidence of his top- and middle-order batsman.