LONDON, (Reuters) – Surrey’s Amar Virdi is optimistic he can follow in the footsteps of fellow Sikh spinner Monty Panesar and break into the England test squad, the 21-year-old has said.
Virdi’s selection in England’s 30-member training group for next month’s home series against West Indies coincides with a debate on representation of the minority community in English cricket.
Left-arm spinner Panesar played 50 tests for England between 2006-13 before mental health issues effectively derailed his career.
Virdi is behind Jack Leach, Dom Bess and Moeen Ali in England’s spin pecking order but still fancies making his test debut in the first match against West Indies in Southampton from July 8.
“I definitely want to be playing in the first test and I want to be in the squad,” said Virdi, who claimed 69 wickets from 23 first class matches.
