Giles has taken three wickets in the two Ashes Tests so far

Fletcher has come in for heavy criticism for not picking Panesar, who is an attacking spinner and has taken 32 wickets in 10 Tests.

Giles has only taken three wickets at a cost of 87 runs each.

But Fletcher said: "We stand by those selections, I have got to stand by those selections."

Interview: England coach Duncan Fletcher

Giles has hardly played any cricket in the last year as he has undergone two operations on his hip and groin.

He was selected ahead of Panesar because of his batting prowess and has scored 74 runs in the two matches, but England's negative tactics seemed to have backfired as they have slumped to defeat in both matches.

606 DEBATE: Would you stick with Giles in the third Test?

Fletcher said he was not the only person who selected the team, captain Andrew Flintoff had his say and the rest of the team was also consulted.

"I'm not the sole selector on this tour," he said

"I could have taken the easy option and gone with the other players (like Panesar), but we have to sit down and think what is the best side with all the knowledge we've got within that group of people.

"We've got five bowlers in so we feel we go in with a well-balanced side."

Chairman of selectors David Graveney refused to be drawn on the Panesar omission.

He told BBC Radio Five Live: "Monty made a great impression last year but as Duncan says the balance of the team is the critical thing."

An England XI play a one-day match against a Chairman's XI at Lilac Hill, starting on Friday, and a two-day game starting on Saturday ahead of the third Test in Perth on 14 December.

Fletcher refused to discuss any possible changes for the third Test, with wicket-keeper Geraint Jones, Giles and fast bowler James Anderson the likely casualties.

"We will discuss it with the rest of the players, I don't sit there and say this is what we're going with. We will discuss it and decide what is the best plan to win the next Test match," he added.

"For the last Test a discussion took place and we as a selection panel thought that was the best side to win that Test match, although Andrew and I had the final say."