Panesar should go to India - Wessels

Kepler Wessels on Monty Panesar: 'He's very aggressive, gets good players out, gets good bounce and good turn' © Getty Images

Kepler Wessels has urged England's selectors to pick the young spinner, Monty Panesar, for the upcoming tour to India. England are due to announce their squad on Friday, and are scheduled to play three Tests and seven one-dayers. Wessels, Panesar's coach at Northamptonshire, is confident that Panesar, 23, is ready for Test cricket.

Last week, David Graveney, England chairman of selectors, hinted that Panesar was very much part of their thoughts. Wessels, though, was surprised at the bowler's omission from the touring squad to Pakistan:

"He's one of the few spinners in England who's not just a containing spinner - he's able to take wickets," he told BBC Sport. "He is a player of immense ability and I was surprised he wasn't selected to go to Pakistan. On form, towards the latter part of the last season, he was definitely the best spinner in the country. He's a very tall spinner and does turn the ball more than most. He's very aggressive, gets good players out, gets good bounce and good turn."

Panesar took 46 wickets in the championship last season, at the economical average of 21.54, but concern has been voiced about his abilities as a batsman and fielder. However, Panesar has recently spent time at the Darren Lehmann academy in Adelaide to "sharpen up his skills" which, Wessels feels, will stand him in good stead:

"I've been in touch with him a couple of times since he's been back and he feels it's been worthwhile," he said. "He's always performed well against good players of spin, he's got them out on a regular basis, and that's one of the impressive things about him.

"It will be challenging for him because as we know the Indian players are very good against the spinners, so he'll have to bowl well, but I'm sure he'll rise to the challenge."