Monty Panesar,is Monty Panesar just an also ran?

Monty Panesar
Originally uploaded by Rob Selby

Is Monty Panesar just destined for also-ran status?

Monty Panesar belongs to that amazing breed of left arm spin bowlers, who believe in wearing down the batsmen with their impeccable line and length

Monty Panesar's hero undoubtedly in the great Bishan Singh Bedi who bowled untiringly for the Indian cricket team for ages.

Bishen Singh Bedi was the classic left arm spinner, being hit for six was an opportunity for Bishen Singh Bedi. All he would do is to drop the next ball a fraction short, so that the batsman would get caught at mid-on

Monty Panesar should see the modern attacking cricket game as an opportunity

Monty Panesar should not be discomfited by the modern way of playing test cricket which includes scoring at almost four runs per over. In fact, Monty Panesar should emulate his mentor Bedi, and see the attacking batting styles of current batsmen as a great opportunity to either toss the ball a fraction more, or bowl a slightly faster ball

Monty can use the traditional left arm spinner's repertoire of varying spin, flight and length and will find that the modern cricket game is just fantastic for spin bowlers

Monty Panesar should resist the temptation to bowl flat to attacking batsmen

Monty Panesar should learn from the Harbhajan Singh story. Harbhajan Singh, another protege of Bishan Singh Bedi, took the wrong route by bowling flatter after being hammered a few times and now has his career in tatters

Monty Panesar should learn from Harbhajan Singh's experience and ensure that he does not attempt to take the easy route of bowling flat and terminate his career by being just another ordinary spin bowler

Monty Panesar has a great future ahead , as long as he keeps to the basics of traditional left arm spin bowling