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Panesar heads 'home' to Mohali

By N Ananthanarayanan
March 09, 2006 11:20 IST

England spinner Monty Panesar will receive a warm welcome to his home from home when he plays in the second Test against India.

Panesar, 23, became the first Sikh player to play for England in the drawn first Test and Mohali is in the state of Punjab, birthplace of his parents.

"I don't know how many friends and family will be coming to watch the Test but certainly quite a few," the Northamptonshire bowler said.

"It's very nice to be playing a Test match in the state where my family comes from but my main focus will have to be the cricket and trying to help England.

"This is a place where a lot of Sikh people are from but I still miss home as well."

His grandparents live in the commercial city of Jalandhar, about 90 km from Mohali, and will be in the stands with his father Paramjit and mother Gursharan to watch Panesar play.

Jalandhar is also the hometown of Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh.

Panesar made an impressive debut in Nagpur, claiming three wickets and displaying excellent control.

He took the prized scalp of Sachin Tendulkar first up before bowling captain Rahul Dravid and Mohammad Kaif.

TENDULKAR SOUVENIR

Tendulkar, trapped leg before for 16, presented his autographed bat to Panesar as a souvenir.

"I was nervous in that first match - it's Test cricket and I have always dreamed of playing for England," Panesar said.

"But the rest of the players were incredibly supportive and this tour has been a fantastic experience so far and really exciting.

"The crowds too are very passionate about the game here, they see cricket as a religion. It's a bit strange when they start calling my name but it's a nice experience."

Andrew Flintoff praised the bowler for easing his burden as captain -- the all-rounder is leading the side in the absence of injured captain Michael Vaughan and deputy Marcus Trescothick.

"When you get Monty coming on, he knows exactly how he wants to bowl and what fields he wants to bowl to, so a lot of it was taken out of my hands," he said.

 

N Ananthanarayanan
Source: REUTERS
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