Monty Panesar defends Graeme Swann over comments

Melbourne: The man who must now step into Graeme Swann’s shoes will complete quite a comeback when he resumes as England’s No 1 spinner in the Boxing Day Test, but Monty Panesar’s troubles were the last thing on anyone’s mind on Monday.

Panesar, whose own Test career was in jeopardy during the summer, found himself having to defend Swann at the MCG after the retired spinner’s ambiguous parting shot led to a storm which clouded his retirement.

Swann said in an unprompted aside during a press conference solely for English newspaper cricket writers that some players he is leaving behind “love themselves too much” and “are up their own backsides”. It was delivered with his trademark cheeky grin, he would not name any names and, as one of the seven journalists present, I can confirm that it was impossible to know for sure whether he was talking about his own team-mates.

We know that Swann has never been close to Kevin Pietersen and that the two were on different sides during the text scandal that almost caused Pietersen’s demise as an England player last year. Yet, on this tour, they are said to have been getting along fine.

And we also know that England have been angry at some of the more extreme sledging from Australia during this series, in particular from David Warner, Brad Haddin and Shane Watson.

Swann later used Twitter to deny he was talking about England.

It was into this storm that Panesar emerged, with the air of a man who was not quite sure what was going on.

So Monty, do you all take playing for England for granted? “Absolutely not,” he said. “We have a hungry and very determined dressing room that wants to do really well in these last two Tests. Playing for England is the pinnacle for every sportsman. In no way do we take it for granted.”

Praise for Swann

But what about what Swann said? “It’s the first I’ve heard about it. Swanny knows who he’s referring to but in terms of the dressing room and his team-mates, we are right behind him. We loved him to bits when he played with us and we all back him as a team. He’s an iconic cricketer, a match-winner and one of the best spin bowlers in the modern game.”

How about the timing of his retirement mid-series? “It’s his decision. He knew when he wanted to go and when was the right time. When you lose your own hunger for bowling or your passion, you know your time is up. We are all right behind his decision. He’s done wonderful things for England. If I can achieve half of what he’s done, I’ll be ecstatic.”

What of Michael Vaughan, an Ashes-winning England captain, saying this tour has become a joke? “I don’t think that,” Panesar said. “We’ve still got two Tests to show our hunger and determination.”

But could Swann’s comments tarnish his legacy? “He’s done unbelievable things in the last few years for England and he’ll be remembered as one of the greats.”

It must have come as a relief to Panesar when he was asked about his own cricket. He has, of course, been England’s top spinner before and, at 31, has the time to be so again — particularly as the cupboard is not exactly bursting with young spin-bowling prospects.

“This is a really good opportunity,” Panesar said. “I’ve been there in the past where I’ve looked too far ahead and suddenly you’re not focused. I don’t see myself as the No 1 spinner. I just want to get my bowling in good rhythm — better than at Adelaide.”

Panesar said he thought his England days were numbered when he was cautioned by police over a nightclub incident that led to accusations he had urinated over bouncers. “I thought my chance had gone,” he said. “I’m lucky to be out here. I want to grab this chance. Last summer’s problems are behind me. It’s time to move on and play with a smile on my face.”

Just as Swann used to. Only now, it’s Monty time again.