Shaun Udal believes England will be making a big mistake if they replace Monty Panesar with Ashley Giles for tonight's first Ashes Test in Brisbane.

Off spinner Udal, an England player in Pakistan and India last winter, has no doubt that Panesar is the better slow left armer.

He believes he should not be sacrificed for the superior batting and fielding of the more experienced Giles.

Udal played two Tests alongside Giles in Pakistan and one alongside Panesar in India and believes the latter should win his 11th cap at the Gabba.

The Hampshire veteran said: "Monty should definitely play ahead of Ashley.

"He's right up there with the best in the world and if they drop him it goes against the continuity of selection they've shown in the way they've picked the side in the last few years.

"That's been a strength under Duncan Fletcher, but I couldn't agree with the decision to replace Geraint Jones with Chris Read, who is by far the better keeper of the two.

"Chris has been very harshly treated.

"Geraint is not scoring the runs he has done in the past and Chris did very well in the two Tests he played against Pakistan in August.

"If Monty is left out he'll also have every right to feel harshly dealt with but would have to knuckle down in the same way that Chris is having to do again."

Udal was as saddened as anyone at the withdrawl of Marcus Trescothick last week and is more concerned about England's top order than the bowling attack.

He added: "We need Steve Harmison to be fit and for Freddie to improve on his form so far on tour but I think we'll bowl sides out - as long as we pick the right spinner.

"My main concern is that we're not going to get enough runs - there's going to be a lot of emphasis on Andrew Strauss and Kevin Pietersen."

Udal expects his Hampshire captain Shane Warne to have another significant say in the destination of the urn, but remains confident that England will build on the success of last summer.

He continued: "I had a brief chat with Warney over the weekend and he can't wait for the series to start.

"I'm sure everything he says at the moment is a case of mind games.

"I hope he does well again but I still think we're going to retain the Ashes.

"We might not win the series itself but I can see us getting at least a draw overall."