Spinner Panesar's comeback a terrific boost for England: Broad

China National News (ANI) Thursday 9th February, 2012

Left-arm spinner Monty Panesar's comeback in international cricket after a gap of more than two years is a terrific boost for England cricket, feels fast bowler Stuart Broad.

Speaking to the Daily Mail after the Test series loss to Pakistan and ahead of the one-day and Twenty20 series, Broad said:" Monty Panesar's return has been terrific and credit to county cricket for that because he has worked hard there and taken a lot of good wickets."

Panesar made a superb return to the Test fold, claiming 14 wickets

Broad said no one in the England squad saw 3-0 defeat coming and it was a huge hammer blow to all the players, as they had worked very hard to get into a winning position only to throw it away.

"We know that in England, Australia and South Africa we are a good team. But the series against India and Pakistan have shown us that in sub-continental conditions we are average," Broad said.

He also said that England could not worry at this stage about South Africa taking the No. 1 Test status by beating New Zealand next month.

"If we do lose it we'll get it back, I promise you that. This is a setback, but I can't remember any group of England bowlers being as threatening in the subcontinent and we know that if we gets runs we will win Tests here," he said. (ANI)