Australia skipper Ricky Ponting warned Monty Panesar of a fierce assault by Matthew Hayden and Justin Langer in the upcoming Ashes series
Australian skipper Ricky Ponting has warned Monty Panesar of a fierce assault by Matthew Hayden and Justin Langer in the upcoming Ashes series, saying that his team will not allow the left-armer -- being hailed as the best in the world -- to get on top of them.
''We will try and make some sort of impact on him early on.
Hopefully, it's a positive one and we won't let him get on top of us,'' Ponting told the Daily Telegraph in Sydney.
''The left-handers, especially Justin and Matty, the way they play spinners is generally aggressive. But you never know what situation he is going to be bowling in either,'' the Aussie added, admitting that he was a bit wary of the spinner.
Monty, who has had an excellent Test season so far with his match winning spells for England, is being hailed as an excellent Ashes prospect and several ex-players like Ian Botham have warned the Aussies to be ready for the new spin wizard.
However, Ponting said his team would not allow the spinner to get off the hook easily and promised to tackle the left-armer with aggression.
''He could be bowling on a wicket that offers him a little bit or at a time where we are under a bit of pressure and have to get through it. At different times I am sure the guys will be really aggressive against him, and at other times we won't be able to,'' he said.
Ponting also took a dig at Monty's poor but improving fielding and batting and said the crowds in Australia would make it a point to remind the spinner of his flaws.
''His fielding and batting might need a little bit of work. I am sure the Australian crowds will really let him know about that when he is out here,'' he said.
The Aussie skipper, however, admitted that Monty is more threatening then Ashley Giles and said he was impressed with the spinner's rise in the England team.
''He is probably a more aggressive, a more attacking bowler than Giles was for them,'' Ponting said.
