I AM DETERMINED TO PLAY AGAIN
Monty Panesar opens up about his future
Who has been the best batsman that you have come up against? Monty Panesar: The batsman I struggled against the most was Matthew Hayden. He was very difficult to bowl to whenever I played against him.
The other batsman who was a real challenge for me was Graeme Smith. I believe he averages around 80 against left-arm spinners and for a very good reason. You mention Hayden and Smith, was that because they were the type of batsmen who would look to intimidate a bowler? MP: It was their physique which allowed a longer stride length. As a spinner, it becomes a little difficult to get them out, because the distance between where the ball pitches and the ball coming onto the bat is less than in a shorter person.
We, as spinners, need that distance to be at its greatest so that by the time the ball’s got to the bat it’s had enough distance for it to turn. I also found it difficult to bowl to Kevin Pietersen and Alastair Cook in the nets due to their stride length. What have been the most memorable moments of your career so far? MP: I really enjoyed the series when Pakistan came over in 2006 and also have great memories of our visit to India in 2012.
The 2009 Ashes in England of course, and the South Africa series which we lost here in England in 2008 also stand out as ones to remember.
Apart from these excellent series, I have to admit that one place I haven’t done well in is Sri Lanka and am yet to play a Test in South Africa, which is something I would like to have done. As an Asian playing against Asian teams, did that spur you on to better performances against them? MP: I believe those teams just got the best out of me because of the way they played me. I suppose there are spinners who cannot respond well to such batting against them. To others, it’s a challenge in terms of having and implementing a good game-plan against these batsmen.
To bowl against such players, you need to be a little sharper in your mind, and you have to play with concentration and focus. Do you feel you could have played more than the current tally of 50 Tests? MP: I recall speaking to Rahul Dravid, who said I could easily have played 100 Tests with my ability.
But I have played 50 and I will always strive to play more Tests if I can. If I don’t play any more Tests, then I will look back and be happy with the number I have played. What was it like mentoring Australian spinners before the India tour? MP: It was really good as I found that kind of relationship works really well if the players have respect and a high regard for you.
Then they are very receptive to what you say to them.
If they don’t really rate you on your thinking on cricket, then it’s difficult to develop a good rapport. You’ve completed your Level 3 Coaching Certificate, is this something you would like to pursue in future? MP: I coached U16s and U21s at Campbelltown Camden District Cricket Club in Australia in the 2016/17 season. Although I joined as a player at Campbelltown, the coach Graeme Smith gave me extra responsibility for coaching as well.
He told me that you may not be used to this, but I want you to learn. He said that I might find things a little difficult or it may all be new to me, but then that is one of the purposes you are here for.
He wanted me to learn how to coach an U16 team as well as how to run an U21 team, and hold outdoor nets for the firstgrade teams. I found that to be a real educational experience and also found out a lot about myself as a player too.
I recall in Sri Lanka when I wasn’t picked for the team, I just put on my headphones and Andy Flower had to nudge me to get rid of that attitude and show a bit more team spirit.
That is the kind of stuff I look at now and think that maybe I should have improved my behaviour then.
Looking back, I suppose I was a little difficult to talk to and couldn’t really help myself either. Apart from Australia, have you been coaching in England as well? MP: I have coached mostly in Australia, but in England I have done some spin coaching but then, I have always helped out in coaching for teams that I have played for.
What I find really interesting is that there is always a time and a place for different aspects of coaching. So, this can be coaching for technical and tactical areas or mentoring, but for me, the most important part is getting to know the cricketers you are coaching.
This can be done on and off the field and it makes the whole coaching process a lot easier. Who, in your view, were the best coaches you worked with and were the most effective for you? MP: I have always respected Andy Flower. I think he was a really good coach but unfortunately, I probably didn’t get an opportunity to really get to know his coaching.
He already had his 11 players set and I was always the guy on the fringe. Only if it was a turning wicket and they needed two spinners would I play in those games. Regardless, I always admired him as a coach.
Mark Robinson, the Sussex coach, was probably one coach who got the best out of me. He was like a father figure which was in line with his style of coaching.
If he felt that you were capable of taking on that extra responsibility then he would give it to you and that’s what he did for me at Sussex which was to give me that extra responsibility at key stages of a game.
In addition, I have always admired Peter Moores as I do like his style of coaching and the way he goes about his job.
But the fact is that each of the coaches have their own unique style but Duncan
Looking back to when I was in the England side, I was a little difficult to talk to and couldn’t really help myself either
Fletcher, in my view, was very quiet and didn’t say much.
Moores was more observant than the talking type of coach and probably at the other end of the spectrum as far as coaching styles go.
You’ve had some tough times recently. You must be looking to putting those behind you?
MP: Yes, I am looking forward to the future. I am looking to play club cricket and Northamptonshire have provided me with some training facilities. I am also trying to get involved with Middlesex and the MCC and doing some bowling there as well.
The idea is to keep on working and hopefully someone will give me a chance. If I can take wickets in club cricket and minor counties games then, hopefully, someone will give me an opportunity to come and train with a county. It is then possible that they will give me a second team game to see how my bowling is and how my character fits.
Looking back, do you have any regrets or thoughts about how things could have turned out differently?
MP: I think we always have regrets for things that have happened in the past. I had that incident at Sussex which probably didn’t help my cause.
I guess after all that, I was very lucky to get an opportunity at Essex but still couldn’t manage to grab that chance with both hands. Thankfully, I am much better now. I just need to keep on training and maintain my fitness which is much better than before. My shoulder is also much better now. All I need to do is to keep on persevering and keep working hard.
At the moment, these 18 county team coaches are the most important people in my life and I will be knocking on all 18 doors and, hopefully, one of them will answer.
What does the future hold for you and what would you like to achieve from cricket in the next few years?
MP: All I wish to do is to get back to playing professional cricket. I will continue pursuing that dream and I will give it my best, as I am desperate to play top-level cricket again. I really believe there is another chapter in my cricket career, otherwise I wouldn’t be going for it.