tygerland.net

No one would argue against the obvious fact that it was the bowlers who won the Ashes in the summer of ‘05. Yes, of course we had to put runs on the board, and Pietersen and Tresco both did brilliantly with the bat, but it is was our ability to bowl out the best batting side in the world that triumphed. Langer, Hayden, Ponting, Martyn, and Gilchrist have utterly dominated the contemporary game, and it was the ability of the English bowlers to capture the dark arts of reverse swing, which ensured that we had the capacity to cut down Australia’s batsmen.

How things have been different this winter?

First we lost the Welsh dragon Simon Jones. Jones, who had to change his action after numerous injuries, tore apart the Aussie batting line-up last time. Aggressive batsmen will always struggles against swing bowling. If you move forward to attack the ball, you reduce the available reaction time and can leave yourself unable to pick up the balls trajectory. Hayden and Gilchrist, Australia’s two most aggressive batsmen, were particularly vulnerable.

Andrew Flintoff, the talisman of ‘05, has been similarly struck with injuries. Add to the list captain Michael Vaughn and finger-spinner Ashley Giles, and England’s victorious side looks rather frayed. Giles, often nicknamed wheelie-bin after his charismatic action, has not been the same player, yet has been selected because he strengthens England’s long tail immeasurably (for the none cricket lovers, the tail are batsmen at the end of the order - the non-specialist batsmen).

Yet Giles has been unable to take the wickets and bowl as well defensively as last time. The fans, and the media, have demanded that England’s other finger-spinner, Mudhsuden Singh Panesar, or as he is now invariably known: ‘Monty’, be selected. Finally in the crucial third test, Monty along with quickie Sajid Mahmood, were selected, and what an impact Monty has made?

The cry for Monty has been deafening. English spinners with real turn are few and far between, and his brilliant summer form meant, to many at least, that Panesar’s inclusion from the off would be a formality, but the England management, somewhat understandably, wanted to stick with the side that had been victorious 18-months ago. However, with England’s abject inability to bowl out the Aussies in the first two tests, Monty’s return was inevitable. And overnight he collected a hand-full of wickets. 5 for 92 runs is spectacular bowling, and Panesar inspired the English attack to clean up the Aussie’s for a mere 244 runs, putting England firmly in the driving seat.

Panesar’s influence should not be underestimated; attacking batsmen love to take on finger-spinners. Indeed, the Aussie’s consider orthodox finger-spin with some disdain and were looking forward to taking on the young Panesar. But Monty devastated them; and finally, the English bowlers are competing again. And not a moment too soon.

This blog, without any hesitation, salutes Monty Panesar. All Hail Monty.