Panesar relishes Old Trafford pitch

Monty Panesar is looking forward to facing New Zealand in the second Test at Old Trafford.The Northamptonshire spinner has claimed a total of 18 wickets in his two Test appearances in Manchester, where the fast and bouncy pitch helps him in the latter stages of innings.Panesar said: "This is one of my favourite grounds. I've had success here and I'm going to be looking forward to bowling here coming into this Test."I enjoy bowling here because the wicket has a bit of pace and bounce and my style of spin suits this kind of wicket and my record shows that."Hopefully I can build on that and do well in this Test match."I like the pace of the wicket here because the ball often gathers pace after bouncing and it turns quite sharply, my kind of pace suits this kind of wicket."But the extra pace and bounce could also help New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori, who claimed five wickets in the drawn first Test at Lord's.Panesar added: "He's played international cricket forever and I suppose with us both being left-arm spinners it's natural to compare but I think it's a bit unfair."I've only just started in international cricket and he's played for years, he knows his craft and I look up to him and maybe in a few years time I can emulate what he does."I look at him and see how he bowls and the success he's had in all forms of the game, it's refreshing to see another left-arm spinner do well."

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ITN | May 21, 2008

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