Sachin's net session with Panesar shocks Strauss

Skipper Andrew Strauss is reportedly shocked that English spinner of Indian origin, Monty Panesar, had a long bowl at Sachin Tendulkar at the nets last week, saying that he was unaware of such a session.

While Tendulkar is eying his 100th international Test ton at the Lord's Test beginning from Thursday, a report in the Sun says that Panesar could have shared some tips with Tendulkar on the English conditions although he himself is not part of the squad. The tabloid quotes an English Cricket Board spokesperson as saying that the net session was not arranged by the board. "If Monty did have a session with him (Tendulkar), it was not arranged by us. He must have used his own contacts."

Tendulkar, who has not played much cricket since the Indian Premier League earlier this year, is believed to have wanted as much practice as could be arranged. Panesar's county, Sussex, however has confirmed that an arrangement was made for him to bowl at the Little Master. "It was something arranged between themselves. Monty told me about it the next day. It was good for Monty - you must learn a lot bowling to someone like Tendulkar. It would have given him a boost," Sussex director Mark Robinson was quoted as saying.

Although Robinson felt that it should not be a problem for the English side, speculation is that even a batsman as experienced and talented as Tendulkar could benefit further from anything that Panesar may have shared with him.