'Old Trafford specialist' Panesar says Oz batsmen 'clearly' vulnerable against spin

England spinner Monty Panesar has said that Australia's batsmen are clearly vulnerable against the spinning ball, adding that he hoped that the Manchester groundsman is 'raking the wicket' ahead of the Old Trafford Test.

According to the Sydney Morning Herald, the Sussex spinner took 3-70 against the tourists in the three-day tour match that wound up on Sunday and has been called into England's 14-man squad for the third Test.

Eager for another shot at Australia this week, the Old Trafford specialist, who had watched the carnage his slow-bowling colleague Graeme Swann was able to cause at Lord's, said that there is an opportunity against spin for England even though Australia is a very competitive team.

Panesar further said that even though the Australians are good players and cannot be discarded, he felt that he was always in with a chance with spin even in the Sussex game.

According to Panesar, the team would play two spinners if the wicket turns at Old Trafford, adding that he is confident of success in the third Test as he has a good record in the ground.

Panesar has taken 25 wickets in three Tests at Old Trafford, at an average of 16, with a 10-wicket haul against the West Indies, the report added.