It's Monty Panesar [Images] versus Wayne Rooney [Images] now.

With cricketers popularity again surging after last years Ashes and footballers' mediocre display in the Germany [Images] World Cup British publishers are showing interest in still just nine-Test young Panesar's autobiography.

Panesar, the first Sikh to play for England [Images], after his steller role in his team's series victory against Pakistan this summer, is likely to sign a book deal worth 250,000 pounds to write his memoirs.

More than 15 British publishers have shown interest in Panesar, who has a substantial following among England fans since his spin bowling achievements, The Sunday Times reported.

The book deal is likely to be concluded in the next few days, it said.

News of the book deal highlights a growing commercial interest in cricket by publishers and others.

The winning of the Ashes last summer, the dramatic rise of Twenty20 cricket and the defeat of Pakistan this summer have all helped to make the game popular again.

At the same time publishers are becoming disillusioned with football.

In anticipation of England doing well in the World Cup, several footballers concluded deals culminating in a record-breaking five-book contract, said to be worth 5 million pounds for Wayne Rooney's story.

But sales of these books may be as mediocre as England's performance in Germany.

The first volume of Rooney's life has sold just 13,700 copies in three weeks. Not surprising perhaps, given that its most revealing fact is that his house "has six bed-rooms and a big kitchen, which is very modern and grayish."

On the contrary, cricketers are seen as retaining a 'Boy's Own appeal', said one sports agent.

Bloomfield published the autobiography of Andrew "Freddy" Flintoff last autumn after the Ashes success. Its hardback sales alone reached 250,000 pounds.

He also brought out the memoirs of Michael Vaughan [Images], captain of the Ashes winning England team, and of veteran cricket commentator Ritchie Benaud. Both sold about 100,000 copies.

Panesar, born in Luton in 1982, is noted not just for his bowling prowess but for a strong personality and for wearing his turban on the pitch.

His grandparents still live in India where he made his Test debut for England in February and scalped Sachin Tendulkar [Images] as his first victim in the debut Test in Nagpur.