Making waves: Monty Panesar

(ALL THESE WRITE UPS HAVE BEEN PUBLISHED IN CRICKET TODAY MAGAZINE)

Few English cricketers have generated as much hype and hoopla as Mudhsuden Singh Panesar – Monty as he is better known in cricketing circles – has done during his short stint in international cricket. The first Sikh to represent England, he has almost instantly become a national hero, having already taken 31 wickets in his 9 Test appearances inclusive of 2 five-wicket hauls. The feat has even earned him a nomination for the BBC Sports Personality of the Year. But it is not his bowling alone that has propelled Monty into stardom. Ironically, it is more to do with his ultra-comic fielding ability and awkward batting methods. There are both cheers and jeers from the crowd when he fields or midfields. His batting looks ungainly but the 26 runs he scored of just 28 balls against a Sri Lanka and a rampant Muralitharan deserves a mention. The innings included a six against one of the all-time great off-spinners!

The beginning of the journey

Born in Bedfordshire, Monty Panesar later moved to Northamptonshire where, like all youngsters, he represented a number of youth sides before being eventually selected for England Under-19 team. He was part of the team for a couple of seasons and after some impressive performances, a first-class debut came knocking in 2001 at the age of 19. Monty made fully use of the opportunity and returned with magical figures of 12 wickets in the game for Northamptonshire against Leicestershire. Things did not go as per planned thereafter though and his appearances in 2001 and 2002 were restricted. He also meddled with studies at the Loughborough University during this period. But his 17 wickets meant he impressed people enough to gain a spot in the National Academy team in Australia. His talent was very much at display here as he ended up with 46 wickets in 2005.

Monty has never looked back since…

In an effort to improve his poor fielding abilities, he even attended the Darren Lehman Academy in Adelaide. But the biggest boost in Monty’s career came when his coach at Northamptonshire, former South African skipper Kepler Wessels, asked for him to be included in England's squad for their tour of India. And we all know what happened after that. Panesar made his debut at Nagpur and dismissed the great man Sachin Tendulkar to get his first Test victim. Add to that the wickets of Mohammad Kaif and Rahul Dravid, which undoubtedly made it a memorable first Test for Monty.

His career really took off from there and what followed was successful Test series win against Pakistan. He ended up with 8 scalps at Old Trafford on a pitch assisting the spinners. But his real Test came in Headingley where all the batsmen were plundering runs. But he nailed the key wickets of Inzamam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Yousuf and Younis Khan – all great players of spin- and in the process has established himself as the numero uno spinner for England ahead of the much-experienced but moderately talented Ashley Giles. The fact that he succeeded against India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka – all great players of spin- makes his achievements all the more credible.

A genuine spinner of the ball

Unlike, his predecessor Ashley Giles, who was very good in his own right, Monty Panesar is a genuine spinner England found in quite a while. This is because he gives the ball a prominent rip resulting in a good number of revolutions. And if you can fox someone like Inzamam-Ul-Haq, then you must be very good at your art. Monty has already proved this in the little international cricket he has played.

An aggressive bowler, his attitude to outthink batsman is very refreshing for the art of spin in an era where most try to bore out the opposition via negative tactics bar a few greats who do no need to be named. In fact, it wouldn’t be wrong to say that Panesar is a "spin bowler with a fast bowler's mentality" – an idiom earlier associated with Bill O'Reilly of Australia. And why not, after all he started of as a fast bowler before quickly realising that it wasn’t his cup of tea.
In an interview some time back, Monty revealed that he too is working on the doosra- the ball that goes the other way.

The Aussies are waiting

With yet another Ashes series nearing, the Aussies have started playing their mind games yet again. And not surprisingly, they are targeting the latest sensation in English cricket – Monty Panesar. Even the Aussies realise what a difference Monty makes to the side. With the likes of Steve Harmison, Simon Jones and Matthew Hoggard in the fast bowling department, Panesar would not only lend that much needed variety to the attack but has also shown that he is competent to maintain the pressure built on the batsmen by the earlier bowlers. This is something which his predecessors like Ashley Giles didn’t quite manage to do on a consistent basis.

"We'll try to make some sort of impact on him early on, and we won't let him get on top”, said Aussie skipper Ricky Ponting, on how they would try and counter the threat likely to be posed by Panesar.

Monty’s no Jonty

Even as Monty Panesar was in the news all over and continues to be, came the decision of his exclusion from the Champions Trophy probables. We all know by now that Panesar is arguably the worst fielder in the England side and no team can afford to have an ODI side with players having poor fielding abilities. And, as discussed earlier, neither is his batting the greatest. These two factors were enough for the selectors to overlook his stupendous performance in Tests. And the decision seems a very fair one too. So even amidst all the accolades, here’s something for Monty to really work hard on if he desires to earn a place in the ODI squad too.

Whatever one may say about the man, the fact remains that Monty Panesar is the most popular star in the England team today. Such has been his influence on the fans and the media that even the Pietersen mania, which was at its peak till not too long ago, has taken a backseat. Monty magic has gripped the nation and how!

Jumbo juggernaut rolls on and on

ALL THESE WRITE UPS HAVE BEEN PUBLISHED IN CRICKET TODAY MAGAZINE

Even as I write this piece on Anil Kumble, the man is still making news. For a change, it is for a non-cricketing reason. If the series victory over the Windies wasn’t reason enough for him to celebrate, the news is just out that he’s become a father. Can things get better? A six-wicket haul in a historic overseas win (be it against a mediocre side) and the joy of fatherhood, these are merry times for the mild-mannered man. And so, as Kumble basks in the glory of what can be described as one of the best phases in his life, it is an appropriate time to look back at some of the cheerful moments he has given Indian cricket supporters over the years.

The list of great matches featuring Kumble is an unending one and expectedly so as he has been the tireless warrior of Indian cricket for over a decade and a half. But this compilation features some defining moments in the man’s career. So sit back and relive the Kumble magic.

Hero of the Hero Cup (November 27 1993)

The final of the Hero Cup in 1993 is one of the most memorable matches in the history of Indian one-day cricket. And the man responsible for making it one was Anil Kumble. India took on the West Indies in the final. The Caribbeans were still a formidable side in those days and so Kumble’s blaze of glory in that match is remembered till this day.

Batting first, India managed to post 225 on the board, a challenging target back then if not a match-winning on. Vinod Kambli, now the forgotten man of Indian cricket, was the star for India with the bat scoring 68. But there wasn’t too much support from the others apart from Jadeja who made 31.

But once Kumble was given the ball, the Windies fell apart completely and the total of 225 proved to be a massive one. Kumble single-handedly bowled India to victory with mesmerising figures of 6/12 – the best by an Indian in the shorter version of the game till date. West Indies were dismissed for 123 as India emerged victorious by 102 runs.

An excited crowd of close to 100,000 watched in amazement as Kumble went about his ‘Operation Destruction.’ Kumble picked up the last 6 wickets for a mere 4 runs. Of his six victims, 4 were bowled and one was out lbw, a perfect example of Kumble’s relentless line and length that has been his greatest strength throughout his long career.

The one-may army (7th February 1999)

Ferozshah Kotla was the venue where Kumble immortalized himself. Pakistan and India had resumed cricketing ties after a prolonged hiatus of a decade. And so emotions were running were high on either sides. India had squandered a great opportunity of clinching the first Test at Chennai after the tail failed to finish off the great effort put up Sachin Tendulkar. In a match that went down to the wire India lost by 12 runs. It is a loss that still haunts India just like the Barbados collapse that rankles the Indians every time they think of a Windies tour.

In a game that kept the intrigue level of spectators up for most part, Kumble turned it into a one-sided show once he was given the ball in the second essay. Chasing 400 plus, the Pakistanis were cruising at 120 with the opening pair look in no trouble when ‘Jumbo’ struck. Before the Pakis knew what had hit them; Anil Kumble had all but wrapped up the innings for India. The greatness of the spell lay in the fact that he got the dismissal through various means – some caught behind, others held by close in fielders and the remaining in front of the wicket either bowled or lbw.

Kumble ended the game with figures of 10/74 becoming only the second Test cricketer after Jim Laker of England to achieve the very rare feat of the ‘Perfect Ten’. Ironically, he went wicketless in his next Test but the Kumble magic returned pretty soon in the games to follow. In fact, he’s only matured with age and is looking more and more deadly with each passing year.

Overseas blues? Not any more (Headingley 2002)

The perfect example of his maturity has been his overseas performances post 2002 when India toured England. It was the coming of age of Kumble as an overseas bowler. And Headingley was the venue where it all changed for Kumble.

India’s bowling hero ended with match-figures of 7 for 159 as India cruised to an imposing win by innings and 46 runs. It was Kumble to paved the way for India’s victory on the final day sending back English skipper and centurion Nasser Hussain as also Alec Stewart and in the process diminished any hopes of an English victory.

India won the toss in the game and Ganguly took a brave decision to bat first on a track expected to do plenty on day one. Many felt the Indian captain had committed a huge blunder considering their batsman had always struggled against the moving ball. But Ganguly was in charge of a new Indian side that was a prepared to take the gamble and come up trumps. And that is exactly what they did.

The tourists lost Sehwag early provoking thoughts of yet another batting collapse. But makeshift opener Sanjay Bangar and the rock solid Dravid put up an exceptionally good batting display showing great technique on the opening day to put India into a position of strength. And India never looked back after then. Dravid’s ton was followed by centuries by Tendulkar and Ganguly as India posted an imposing 628 on board.

It was now the turn of the bowlers to make their mark. And they did not disappoint. Harbhajan and Kumble picked up three wickets each and despite a defiant 78 from veteran Alec Stewart, England could not avoid the follow on.

England put up a much improved show in the second innings and at 239/4 at the end of the penultimate day’s play, there were still in with a chance to escape with a draw.

Nasser Hussain reached a fighting century on the final day with an in form Stewart giving him company. India needed to break the partnership and Ganguly was relying on who else but the old hand of Anil Kumble. And for the umpteenth time in his career, Kumble delivered for India under pressure, this time away from home. He got rid of both the overnight batsman in quick succession and after that an Indian victory was a mere formality.

The Test sparked the beginning of a glorious phase in Indian cricket. Though the Indian batsman took away most of the credit for the win, it would not have been possible without the efforts of Kumble.

Anil Kumble was no longer a home match bully. The Headingley Test proved that if only the Indian batsmen could put up bigger scores on the board when playing overseas, Kumble could be deadly away from home too.

Pakis sent packing (Kolkata 2005)

After India’s successful tour of Pakistan, the latter reciprocated by visiting India in 2005. India dominated the first Test at Mohali but had to settle for a draw thanks to remarkable batting efforts by Kamran Akmal and Abdul Razzaq on the final day.

And so both teams arrived in Kolkata with the scorecard 0-0 and India were desperate for a win having missed out on the opportunity in Mohali. This match must have been every statsman’s delight. Dravid scored a ton in each innings as India made 407 in both innings. Interestingly, even Sachin Tendulkar scored an identical 52 in each innings.

Replying to India’s impressive total of 407, Pakistan were in a commanding position at one stage with Younis Khan (no surprises!) and Yousuf Youhana toying with the Indian bowling, each ending up with impressive centuries. But once the two departed, the innings completely fell apart as Pakistan crumbled from 281/2 to 393 all out. Once again, it was Anil Kumble who got the big wicket for India sending back Younis Khan (147) after he had put together a master-class. Kumble added a couple more scalps to his kitty as the visitors frittered away a great advantage.

But it was in the second innings that Kumble came into his own. Kumble got rid of a dangerous looking Afridi late on the fourth day. The Pathan was in his elements right away rocketing to a run a ball 59 and it needed the guile of Kumble to put an end to the Afridi onslaught.
Anil continued his great work the following day removing India’s biggest tormentor Younis Khan with the first ball of the day thanks to a smart stumping by rookie ‘keeper Dinesh Karthik. Pakistan never recovered from the setback as Kumble picked up 6 more wickets on the final day to end with tremendous figures of 7 for 63 and overall match figures of 10-161. This was Pakistan’s first loss at the Eden Gardens and a moment to savour for Kumble and the Indian side as a whole. Sadly, India went on to lose the next Test played at Kumble’s home ground Bangalore. Having said that, the win at Eden will be remembered as a memorable one in the years to come.

Anil Radhakrishnan Kumble may be in the twilight of his career but as he himself admitted sometime back, it has been in the last couple of seasons that we have seen the best of him. The arrival of a baby may be a strong enough reason for Kumble to spend more time at home in the future. However, as long as he is fit willing to battle it out on the field, there will not be too much respite for the opposition batsmen when they face up to them.

Career

Tests – 110
Wickets- 533
Best Bowling (Innings)- 10/74
Best Bowling (Match)- 14/149
Average- 28.75
5 wickets in an innings- 33
10 wickets in a match- 8

ODIs- 264
Wickets-329
Best Bowling-6/12
Average-30-76
Economy Rate- 4.30
5 wickets in an innings-2