Monty Panesar looks ahead to final Test

30/01/2012

England spinner Monty Panesar has said there is only one way England's cricketers can look after the second Test debacle in Abu Dhabi - forward.

Speaking in the wake of the calamitous collapse to 72 all out chasing just 145 to win, the Sussex Spinner - whose 6-62 in the second innings on his recall appeared to have set the side up for a series-levelling win - said: "We're trying to put everything behind us and trying to look forward to the third Test."

He added that he is "very much confident" that the team will put in the hard work needed to get a better result in Dubai.

England's batting horror show may have squandered Panesar's efforts, but the spinner himself may have ensured he gets a good run in the side, with the current tour followed by a trip to Sri Lanka.

Fans enjoying hospitality at next summer's Trent Bridge Test when England play the West Indies may recall that it was against Sri Lanka that Panesar took his first five-wicket haul in Tests for England, in 2006.

By Ted Walker