This story is from July 8, 2020

It will be a contest between the Windies bowlers and the England batsmen: Monty Panesar

Former England spinner Monty Panesar feels the saliva ban due to the Covid-19 pandemic will be an advantage for the West Indies batsmen against England, when the 3-match Test series kicks off on July 8. Panesar also said if West Indies want to win the series, their batsmen need to deliver against the likes of James Anderson and Stuart Broad.
It will be a contest between the Windies bowlers and the England batsmen: Monty Panesar
Ben Stokes and Jason Holder. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)
NEW DELHI: Former England spinner Monty Panesar feels the saliva ban due to the COVID-19 pandemic will be an advantage for the West Indies batsmen against England, when the three-match Test series kicks off at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton from today (July 8). Panesar also said if West Indies want to win the series, their batsmen need to deliver against the likes of James Anderson and Stuart Broad.

International cricket is all set to make a comeback after the COVID-19 pandemic brought international sport to a standstill in March. After the first Test in Southampton, the second and the third Tests will be played at the same venue - the Old Trafford in Manchester.
"The series will be an interesting one. It really depends on how the West Indies bat. I think the series will be dependent on the decisions that West Indies make. It will be interesting how their batsmen play the England swing bowlers, especially James Anderson. Windies know how to make a comeback really well. I think the series will be close. But if their (Windies) batsmen fail, then things will go in England's favour. Most overseas teams seem to struggle when they bat in England," Panesar told Timesofindia.com in an exclusive interview.
Windies
West Indies fast bowlers Alzarri Joseph, Kemar Roach, Jason Holder and Shannon Gabriel. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)
"West Indies need to bat really well, especially in the first innings. They need to bat longer as well. They need to bat at least 90 to 120 overs. They need to bat at least four sessions. West Indies need about four sessions in the first innings. This should be their game plan. This will give them a chance to stay in the game. Let's not forget, there is no saliva, there'll be no movement. West Indies batsmen can take advantage of this," the former spinner said.

Will it be England's batting vs West Indian bowling then?
Panesar believes the Windies bowling is much stronger than their batting and key pacer Kemar Roach who can turn the tables for the tourists in the Test series.
The last Test series between the two teams was played in January-February last year in West Indies. The West Indies won the series 2-1 at the Darren Sammy National Cricket Stadium in Gros Islet, St Lucia.
England
Ben Stokes takes a catch in the slips during a nets session at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton. (AP Photo)
Roach claimed 18 wickets in 3 Tests (6 innings) at an average of 13.85 in the series and was adjudged Man of the Series.
"Weakness where it lies since Alistair Cook's retirement is England's batting. Their top six isn't that great. I think it's a great opportunity for the top six to get some runs and show that they are good. But then Windies bowling is strong. Windies bowling is much stronger than their batting. They've got Kemar Roach. He is an amazing bowler. He has done well in conditions in England. He will be a key player in the Windies team," Panesar told TimesofIndia.com.
"But for me, the pick of the bowlers will be Jimmy Anderson and the batsman will be Rory Burns. Burns has amazing technique," he said.
Heaping praise on Jason Holder, who guided Windies to a 2-1 series win when England toured Caribbean last year, Panesar said: "Holder as captain and a player is really good. He is a good all-rounder and his bowling is very handy in these conditions. He can get extra bounce and score runs as well. So, I think it will be Windies bowlers vs England batsmen. With Joe Root not there, it could be a perfect opportunity for West Indies to really stamp their authority," the former spinner said.
In the absence of regular captain Joe Root, Ben Stokes will be leading England in the opening Test. Root has taken leave to be with his wife for the birth of their second child.
From being hammered by Carlos Brathwaite for majestic sixes in the 2016 Twenty20 World Cup final (that Windies won) to guiding England to the 2019 World Cup title, Stokes has come a long way.
"I think it's experience. In 2016, the England team got themselves to the final but didn't know how to win in the final. They won a lot of series and they just got better at winning. Now, they know how to win a final. The World Cup is a big example. The 2016 T20 World Cup, England should have won it but it was the last over which turned the game upside down. England know how to handle pressure better now. India are one of the best teams in the world and even India look up to England now. England is the team now which everyone looks up to. Be it Test, ODIs or T20s, England have done really well." Panesar said.
"England's greatest achievement probably will be if they can win the World Cup in India. India are favourites to do that but England can also do that," he said.
Panesar, who has played 50 Tests, 26 ODIs, 1 T20I for England between 2006 and 2013, played two Test series against the West Indies - one home and one away.
In the 2007 series, when Windies toured England, Panesar was adjudged Man of the Series. He claimed 23 wickets in 4 Test matches at an average of 18.70, including three five-wicket hauls. England had won the four-match series 3-0.
Recalling that series, Panesar said: "My five wickets at the Lord's and seeing my name on the honors board will be the best moment. I remember getting Shivnarine Chanderpaul. Chanderpaul's wicket at Lord's will be my favourite from that series. He tried to strike the ball and he got bowled. I always wanted to do things like what Warne, Kumble and Muralitharan did. I wanted to be in that bracket," he said.
"I always loved to bowl against the best batsmen in the world. I always wanted to take the wicket of the best players because I would know that I'm getting better as a bowler. I used to always target the best batsmen in each series. Take the example of Anil Kumble, Shane Warne or Muttiah Muralitharan. They have dismissed the best batsmen in the world. If I want to become a great spinner in the world, I need to be known. I should have big wickets to my name. People should say that Monty gets top order wickets," Panesar signed off.
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