MONTY PANESAR: King of spin
Such are the hopes of English sports fans that exciting young prospects tend to become “stars” overnight. Think of the hype about Theo Walcott, the “sensation” who never actually got to play in the World Cup. The excitement around the cricketer Monty Panesar, is, however, justified, according to some of the greatest names of the game. Ian Botham has called him “the finest left-arm spinner in the world” and the Australian Shane Warne, not known for heaping praise on England players, says: “To me, he is the new Monty Python: something completely different.”
Panesar’s stock has risen after his exceptional performances in the Test series against Pakistan, the last match of which starts at the Brit Oval today.
He was born Mudhsuden Singh Panesar in Luton in 1982 to first-generation Indian parents, who came to England in the 1970s. Watching his father Paramjit work tirelessly to set up a construction company taught Panesar the importance of perseverance and hard work. As committed to his studies as to cricket, he attended Bedford Modern School on a sports scholarship and graduated last year from Loughborough University in computing and management.
Panesar started his cricketing career with the Luton Indians at the age of 12 and joined Northamptonshire county in 1999, going on to play for England Under-19 in 2000 and 2001, and touring with the National Academy in 2002. But his performances were uninspiring and he endured a disappointing county season in 2004.
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His game since transformed, Panesar still strives to improve. “I want to be the best spinner in the world,” he says, “but I also want to become a multidimensional cricketer.”
The coach Duncan Fletcher’s earlier reservations about Panesar’s fielding and batting have served only to add to an eagerness to strengthen all aspects of his game.
Panesar’s emergence as a cult hero may be about more than just his performance on the field. He is the first Sikh to play for England — a multicultural achievement for cricket. The sense of harmony that Panesar displays between his English and Indian identities is earning him a reputation as a role model for young Asians. As a British Asian tipped to receive the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award, he is likely to make a profound impact both on and off the cricket pitch.
As he looks for another strong performance in today’s Test to cement his claim for a place in the Ashes squad in November, England’s cricket faithful looks to what his friends describe as “a revolutionary” to continue his wonderful, inspiring run of form.