Panesar averages one wicket a match in the 2009 County Championship

Former England spinner Phil Tufnell says he expects Monty Panesar to play a key role in this summer's Ashes series.

The Northants slow left-armer is in the first Test squad despite taking only six Championship wickets this season.

"Monty has been criticised but to be honest I don't think the Aussies are very good players of spin," Tufnell told BBC Radio Northampton.

"He's just got to bowl at a good pace, keep the pressure on, maintain a good line-and-length - and spin that ball."

Tufnell captured 36 wickets in 12 Tests against Australia, including 7-66 to help win the final game of the 1997 series at The Oval.

Panesar is joined in the 13-man England squad for the series opener at Cardiff by his former Wantage Road team-mate, Northampton-born Graeme Swann.

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