LONDON: England recalled spinner Monty Panesar in a 16-man squad for the Test series against Pakistan in the UAE.
The series will be England’s first since they went top of the Test rankings during a 4-0 home thrashing of India earlier this year.
Left-arm spinner Panesar has been in the international wilderness since playing the last of his 39 Tests two years ago. But with pitches in the UAE expected to turn, Panesar has been selected as the second spinner behind Graeme Swann.
England captain Andrew Strauss will lead a tour party featuring several players returning from injury in batsman Eoin Morgan (shoulder) and fast-bowlers Chris Tremlett (back) and Stuart Broad (shoulder).
“This is an important series given it is our first Test series since hosting India in August this year and we expect a stern challenge against a Pakistan side that will be accustomed to playing in the UAE,” said selector Geoff Miller.
DRS to be used
Meanwhile, the Pakistan Cricket Board has announced that the DRS will be used during the Test and the One-Day International series. The PCB became the first board to obtain sponsorship for the system when it was used against Sri Lanka at the same venue.
England Test squad
Andrew Strauss, Alastair Cook, Jonathan Trott, Kevin Pietersen, Ian Bell, Eoin Morgan, Matt Prior, Stuart Broad, Graeme Swann, Tim Bresnan, Chris Tremlett, James Anderson, Steven Finn, Steven Davies, Monty Panesar, Ravi Bopara.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 10th, 2011.
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