Former England spinner Monty Panesar has stated that if the veteran Indian all-rounder was from England then he already would have been told to retire by now. In what seems like a dig at the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), Panesar said that Ashwin, 38, would have been left out in favour of younger players.
“They experiment more. If Ashwin was English right now, then they would have told him to retire because they want to bring youngsters who have the potential to play. But I think England experiments more, and they like to experiment,” Panesar told ANI.
The former England spinner also gave another bold statement when he called Australian spinner Nathan Lyon as a better bowler than Ashwin.
“I think I see Nathan Lyon in my opinion. Yes, he is a better bowler. But I think Ashwin is a better bowler in India. I think he thinks like a batter when he bowls,” Panesar said.
Earlier, former England coach David Lloyd had blasted the England management for “forcing” James Anderson to retire. The legendary pacer retired with 704 Test wickets, after which England moved onto younger blood in the form of Gus Atkinson.
“He was forced out because of his age. In this era of inclusivity, it takes the biscuit that someone has been stopped for that reason. Reader, let me tell you: I know the feeling. Inclusivity, my arse,” Lloyd had written in his column.
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