Panesar gets starting role as England bat first

By The Editor
Jul 8, 2009

Monty Panesar has been given a starting role as the Ashes finally gets under way in Cardiff this morning, the Daily Telegraph reports.

The left-armer has got the nod ahead of paceman Graham Onions to form England’s first twin-spin bowling attack in a home test match for more than a decade.

The groundsman at Sophia Gardens has indicated that the pitch will give low, slow turn as the eagerly anticipated clash starts at 11am.

Panesar joins fellow spinner Graeme Swann in the England XI, while Australia sprung a surprise by including both Ben Hilfenhaus and their off-spinner, Nathan Hauritz, and leaving out Stuart Clark.

England captain Andrew Strauss won the toss and elected to bat first.

England: Strauss (capt), Cook, Bopara, Pietersen, Collingwood, Prior (wkt), Flintoff, Broad, Swann, Anderson, Panesar.

Australia: Hughes, Katich, Ponting (capt), Hussey, Clarke, North, Haddin (wkt), Johnson, Hauritz, Siddle, Hilfenhaus.