The Surfer

If there is racial abuse, it will, of course, be Australia's undying shame. But it hasn't happened yet. The judgement on Australian sports fans is not just pre-emptive, but runs counter to indications. Panesar already has developed a cult status here, before setting foot on Australian soil. The fascination is redoubled by the fact that he is from the old school of tailenders, incompetent in all the game's disciplines except that one at which he is a master. As such, he is bound to be the butt of many jokes. But the fun that is made of his cricketing competence will, or ought not be, of itself racist. To the extent that a man can laugh at himself, surely so can others.

Unlike in Australia, its migrant communities arrived as ready-made, even fanatical, cricket players and fans. But it has taken generations for them to emerge in the Test team. Now, suddenly, they are cherished. As much as history bears on this issue, England has one, too. I was in the outer at the MCG when Bay 13 bombarded Gladstone Small with fruit and monkey chants. But it was 1986. Around then, Ian Botham declared Pakistan a place fit only to send a mother-in-law. There was no suggestion of sanction then, either for racism or for tired humour.

If Panesar has, of a sudden, so delighted English cricket, he has warmed, too, the proud community of some half a million fellow Sikhs in Britain.

I used to play a step-counting game when I was walking home from the bus stop - one run for every step. I was batting for England and every time a car passed I lost a wicket. Of course, I manipulated it, so the likes of Athers and Nasser were batting when I was on the main road (they were frequently out for ducks), and Hicky came in when I was on the quiet side streets so there was no chance of him getting out cheaply.

Four West Indies fast bowlers Roy Gilchrist, Lester King, Chester Watson and Sven Conrad `Charlie' Stayers were invited to play in different zones in 1962 and it had a tremendous impact on youngsters watching those bowlers.

... the problem with an 'upgrade' of security for the team to 'presidential' level is that presidential security is reliant on the military which is, of course, not just a target for the Tamils, but the primary target. So does surrounding the South African team with high numbers of primary Tamil targets constitute an increase in their safety, or a significant decrease?

"I have not done that badly in one-dayers. But, it could have been better. Being a stroke-player, my strike-rate is neither poor. It is only a matter of time before I rediscover my one-day form."