Panesar expects South Africa to fight back
Saturday, 12 Jul 2008 20:18
Monty Panesar has a key role to play if England are to win the first Test
England bowler Monty Panesar has warned his team-mates that they still have to work hard to beat South Africa despite making them follow-on today.
Panesar was the pick of the England bowlers as he took 4/74 as South Africa were bowled out for just 247 in their first innings.
That still meant the visitors still trailed England by a massive 346 runs and Michael Vaughan unsurprisingly decided to enforce the follow-on.
With two days still remaining of the Test match, England will be confident of bowling South Africa out again as the Proteas finished the day on 13/0 in their second innings. But Panesar insisted it will be harder to bowl them out the second time around.
"They have a strong line-up so it is going to be tough, but we need to do what we did here again on Sunday," said Panesar.
"All the bowlers did well, Sidey (Ryan Sidebottom) and Jimmy (Anderson) set it up and made it easier for the rest.
"Obviously there was a bit of rough for the left-handers bringing me into play," added Panesar, who bowled Neil McKenzie with a ball which turned almost a foot.
South Africa may have a strong batting line-up, but they will find it very difficult to face Panesar as the game goes on.
The England spin star got turn on a third day pitch, and if the game does go to a fifth day then he will probably get even more turn and bounce as the pitch gets more worn out.