'Tough task ahead for Panesar, Blackwell'

England coach Fletcher admitted Panesar and Blackwell will find the going tough in absence of frontline spinner Giles.

In absence of frontline spinner Ashley Giles, Monty Panesar and Ian Blackwell will find the going tough when they bowl to some of the best players of spin in the world during the series against India, admitted England coach Duncan Fletcher.

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"It is asking a lot to send them in against India and players who play spin-bowling very well," Fletcher said.

Fletcher admitted that the absence of Giles, recovering from a hip surgery, will be a tough vacuum to fill but hoped that the rookies can come good.

"Ashley is going to be a huge loss. We need a left-arm spinner and those two are the next best in the country. They are capable, they bowled well during the last English summer," he said.