Graveney backs Panesar

David Graveney, the England chairman of selectors, has tipped Northamptonshire's left-arm spinner Monty Panesar to break into the England ranks this summer. Panesar, 23, took 46 wickets in the championship last season at the impressive average of 21.54.

"A lot of people have made comments about spinners playing in our cricket," he told BBC Five Live's Sportsweek. "So I'd like to put forward Monty Panesar, a left-arm spinner, as someone who could break through this year."

Panesar's pedigree as a spinner is not in doubt. He has long, strong fingers which allow him to spin the ball strongly, but his batting and fielding have held him back from progressing further into England colours. He has spent this winter at the Darren Lehmann Academy to improve the two weakest facets of his game, and Lehmann - who had recently struck a triple-century - told him "to have a simple game-plan and stick to that."

Despite his age, he has already taken 107 wickets in just 28 first-class games. Indeed, he has only been a full-time cricketer since graduating from Loughborough University last summer.