Full Monty

The autobiography of “a left-arm spinner of immense class and limitless charm . . . an unlikely hero of the English game,” cricket superstar Monty Panesar (The Guardian).   Having spent five years learning his trade in County Cricket, Monty Panesar established himself with England in 2006, quickly becoming a national hero, with his trademark black turban, wide eyes and eager fielding.   Monty was a different type of spinner to those which had gone before, here was someone who was not afraid to ‘give it some air’ and attack batsmen.   For a time, he was considered the savior of English spin bowling. His commitment and enthusiasm for the sport made him stand out. His performances encouraged others to hone their skills to the extent that others emerged and took his place.   The England team saw glimpses of him after that, most notably when Graeme Swann and Monty combined in Mumbai in November 2012, dubbed the “dust devils” as they returned joint figures of 19 for 323, in one of the greatest England spin double acts in history, only the fourth occasion that England spinners had combined to take 19 wickets or more wickets in a Test and the first time for 54 years.   As Monty’s career declined however, so did his health. He struggled with a tiresome shoulder injury before struggling with mental health issues. In The Full Monty, “there are certainly some dark corners opened up and explored, but Panesar’s is a fascinating story . . . the book is difficult to put down.” (Cricket Web).