Despite only just arriving on the international cricketing scene in 2006, Monty Panesar’s performances against India and in the Ashes series have catapulted him to cult hero status. Since his call-up to the England senior squad, Panesar’s life seems to have been a whirlwind of headlines and stardom, but his formative years were not those of the typical English cricketer. Taught spin bowling by a friend of his father, his first experience of league cricket was with Luton Town. His raw talent brought him to the attention of other clubs, and before finishing his collegiate degree he had signed with Northamptonshire. Now widely rated as England’s best spin bowler in the past 30 years, this is the story of the renowned athlete who has declared his ambition to be the best.