Panesar strives to become Fletcher's 'multi-dimensional' cricketer

Sydney, Nov 29 (UNI) Aware that his batting ability, rather lack of it, doesn't make him an automatic choice in coach Duncan Fletcher's scheme of things, England's spin sensation Monty Panesar revealed he is striving to emerge as a ''multi-dimensional cricketer''.

Monty did not hide his disappointment after Ashley Giles' better batting skills earned the latter a place in the first Ashes Test and in his diary for cricinfo.com, the Luton-based spinner said, ''It was disappointing to miss out on selection.

''I found out about it on the night before the Test, but I'm pretty philosophical about it. After all, there are 16 members of the squad out here, and so that means five of us are going to have to miss out every time. The coach and captain know their best 11, based on the pitch conditions and the balance of the side, and it's up to the rest of us to give as much support and backing as we can,'' he said.

Claiming that his batting skills have improved after spending extra time in the nets, Monty said, ''...my batting, which I think is progressing really well. I've spent a lot of time in the nets with Duncan and Matthew Maynard, the batting coach, and I do feel that, hopefully, the work I've put in will earn me a chance to play at some stage. ''It's important for me to continue working on all aspects of my game and not rest on any laurels. My aim is to become a multi-dimensional cricketer. Of course it's a gradual thing, and I've got a long way to go, but as long as I keep working and the coaches see an improvement, that's all I can do,'' he wrote.

Though he has not played in the first Test at Brisbane, Monty has had a busy week.

''I spent a lot of time working on my fitness - general cardio and gym work - with Nigel Stockill, the physiologist, and I did a great deal of work with Duncan in the training sessions, getting his viewpoints on my bowling. When it comes to bowling I normally trust one individual who I can always relate to, and I find Duncan Fletcher is really helpful with the valuable comments he comes out with, and just his general feedback,'' he said.

''He's been looking at my action and trying to maybe get a bit more loop into it. He has been absolutely invaluable to me. I can ask him all sorts of things and that's important for me because it gives me confidencem'' Monty said about the coach, who, for some strange reasons, remains not too impressed by the spinner.

Monty may not have played in Brisbane but the youngster is thrilled to be part of the Ashes.

''Even though I wasn't playing, my first taste of an Ashes contest was just brilliant. I sat outside on the team balcony with Chris Read for most of the match and just soaked it in. There must have been about 40,000 in the ground every day and that broke the previous record, which was only about 90,000 for the whole match. It was just brilliant,'' he said.

''And it was great to hear the Barmy Army come into their own on the final day. The support and the noise they generate, and the energy they provide during the matches, is just incredible. All my team-mates were really impressed with their passion. I even heard them chant my name once or twice. Obviously I enjoyed those moments, but I guess I'm pretty easy to recognise, seeing as I'm the only guy with a patka in the team!'' Monty added.

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