England vs Pakistan 2020: England Must Look to Preserve 'Best Fast Bowler' James Anderson, Says Monty Panesar

Former England spinner Monty Panesar said that his former teammate James Anderson has always been hungry for more.

Speaking at SportsTiger’s Cricket Talks with Monty Panesar, the Englishman said, “James Anderson has been brilliant. He has stayed injury free and has always been hungry to take wickets. With this attitude he is the best fast bowler ever now.”

He further added, “England team would be thinking now how long they can keep him playing. He has a brilliant record in English conditions and he is averaging around just 21 since the age of 36.”

Also Read: 'Such a Pity' - How Sensational Mohammad Amir Paid Hefty Price for Spot Fixing Scandal

Panesar also said that one of the biggest problems for Pakistan was that they did not have experience on their side during the Test series which they lost 1-0.

“This Pakistan team is still too young to know how to win test matches. They get themselves into winning positions and don’t know how to hold onto those.”

Panesar though praised the grit shown by the visitors especially in saving the third Test match when at one point they looked like they will be bowled out under 50 overs.

“Pakistan has an attitude which shows that they want to become the number one test team in the world. This new team under Misbah-ul-Haq, Younis Khan and Mushtaq Ahmed went out there and showed pride in their approach in the third test which you wouldn’t have seen with the old Pakistan squad.”

Also Read: England vs Pakistan 2020, First T20I, Old Trafford Preview: Experienced Pakistan Look to Stop Dominant England

Speaking on the bowling attack of the Pakistan team, a factor that was much talked about before the Tests began, he said “When the wicket isn’t swinging or seaming they really don’t know how they are going to get wickets and start relying on the batsmen to make mistakes. This is something that they can learn by watching Anderson and Stuart Broad and how they went about things when the wicket wasn’t doing much. This Pakistan team’s strength is certainly their bowling and not their batting.”

In the series against India in January 2021, Panesar feels it will be a difficult choice whom to drop from the team once Ben Stokes returns. He said, “England likes to play all-rounder in that position and I can see both Chris Woakes and Ben Stokes playing. Probably, it will be James Anderson or Stuart Broad who might be dropped considering the conditions.”

While talking about England’s tour to the subcontinent Panesar further added, “The English team might need a specialist spinner.” He backed Adil Rashid for making a comeback into the team and commented, “Adil Rashid is a good player. If he was playing in this series instead of Dom Bess England would have won the series against Pakistan 2-0.”

While being questioned on Joe Root’s captaincy he said, “Joe Root is a good captain but his greatness will only be decided when England travels to Australia for the Ashes. If they win ‘The Ashes’ then one would say he is a great captain but if they don’t win I wouldn’t put him in the category of great captains.”