Panesar breaks into ICC top 10

Monty Panesar has broken into the ICC top ten Test bowlers table for the first time in his career. And, to top that, he is the highest rated English spinner since 1977 when Derek Underwood was at his peak.

Panesar took 23 wickets at an average of 18.69 in the four-match series against West Indies, including three five-wicket hauls and a match ten-for. After the final Test at Chester-le-Street, Durham, he moved up six places and is now ranked joint-sixth in the world along with team-mate Matthew Hoggard, who himself went up two places as a result of taking five wickets in the match.

Panesar has a realistic chance of moving up to third by the end of the English summer if he is able to maintain his form. With three Tests coming up against India he is just one rating point behind Shane Bond in fifth and nine behind Shaun Pollock of South Africa and India's Anil Kumble in joint third. He was 33rd in the rankings at the start of the series against West Indies.