Panesar: 'I'm itching to go'

Monty Panesar has told Cricinfo that he is "raring to go" and is "itching to bowl" as speculation grows that he will be picked for next week's third Test at Perth.

In an exclusive interview which will appear on the site on Friday, Panesar admitted that he needs to perform when he plays in the warm-up game against Western Australia this weekend. "It is hard to take all the knockbacks, because when I'm playing I get all my energy, and when I'm not I just have to stay patient," he explained. "Hopefully, the coach and the captain will take notice in the next three days. If things don't go to plan, I've only got myself to blame to be honest."

And he spoke of his frustration about sitting on the sidelines. "There's not a lot you can do when you're just a spectator. All you can do is hope that things go our way, and from my point of view it's frustrating not to be out there. I want to be part of the action, I always want to be playing and a part of the game.

"I want to keep improving, because you get bored doing the same things over and over again. I really want to keep on adding new things each year, just to keep my interest in the game going. It does get frustrating when you're not involved. You keep trying your best in the nets and training hard, but now these games are coming, and hopefully I'll get my chance.

"I guess if I do get a chance at Perth, it's going to be a test of my skill as a spinner. In Perth, and Australia in general, the wickets don't turn so much for finger spinners, so it will be a test of my cricketing ability. But I would like to be put in these kind of situation, because that's how you learn about yourself. You develop more as a player when you play in the game."