Monty Panesar

Profile

Few cricketers would have more naysayers questioning their ability than Monty Panesar. Born in England of Indian-Sikh descent, Panesar made his international debut in and against the nation of his roots – India in 2006. Assured with his bowling, while huge question marks remained with his fielding, Panesar came with the simple reputation of being the master of one trade and jack of none. Yet, he one of was England's most exciting spinners since Phil Tufnell. Similar to Tufnell, left-arm Monty had a short,laid-back run up coupled with a quick action and a knack for a timely arm ball.

His premier scalp on debut was his childhood hero – Sachin Tendulkar whom he got out leg before. The name was big enough for everyone to take note. Yet, doubts continued, first over his obvious fielding shortcomings which started to become a liability. It was to address exactly those doubts that made Panesar work harder at his game even after reaching the pinnacle. Economic spells in those flat Indian tracks were enough to keep his place for upcoming home series against more sub-continent challengers Sri Lanka and Pakistan. In tandem with Steve Harmisson, the duo combined to take 19 Pakistani wickets in a single test, with Panesar taking 8 of those wickets. Coupled with improvements on the field Panesar started to be England regular. His likable personality also endeared him to many opposition fans.

When he didn't feature in the playing eleven during the opening two tests of the 2006-07 Ashes, many called for Panesar's inclusion. He proved his worth with a five wicket haul on his Ashes debut at the pace-friendly WACA in Perth. By 2008, Panesar's inclusion in the test line-up became a given. He even started to look handy with the bat.

Just when he seemed to have laid his doubters to rest, Panesar's form started to dip. Talented all-rounder Greame Swann started to make waves for a permanent birth and be England's spin option. All through 2009, Panesar struggled to impress and failed to add newer dimensions to his repertoire. In a batsman-friendly Cardiff pitch in the 2009 Ashes, Panesar was made the casualty in a bowling attack that couldn't down the Australians. In this battle between Panesar and the skeptics, the tide has since swung in favour of the latter.

Fast Facts

• Harmisson and Panesar's 19 wicket haul (the remaining one being a run-out) against Pakistan was the first time since Jim Laker and Tony Lock in 1956 that two bowlers took every opposition wicket in a Test match.
• Panesar is the first English spinner to take a 5 wicket haul in a test match at the WACA.
• Five of the wickets in his first six wicket haul (6/129 against the West Indies) were LBWs given by the same umpire (Asad Rauf) in the same end (the Nursery End at Lord's).
• He was England's highest wicket-taker for the 2007 test season.
• He lies 31st in England's leading wicket-takers' list.

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Career

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