Monty: the epitome of enthusiasm
Will Luke
25-Feb-2013
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Phil Dye ponders the hype behind (and admiration of) Monty Panesar in his column at the Sydney Morning Herald.
Commentators at the Perth Test were giggling that he wanted the ball, even though it wasn't his turn to bowl; that even after been hit for 19 runs he was putting his hand up for more. He would bowl every over in the Sydney Test if they'd let him - and maybe he should.
Bugger the strategy, it's the passion we love and Panesar is showing a passion and unbridled joy in the game we haven't seen for a long time.
But what really makes him so popular? A far cry from those fashionable, clean-shaven sports superstars we see so much of these days, he seems the antithesis of fashion. He's clearly his own man. A devout Sikh, Panesar wears the patka (a mini-turban) with a dignity that makes the coiffured hairstyles of millionaire sportsmen such as Matt Giteau or David Beckham look silly. Maybe I'm getting old, but I just don't get this fixation millionaire sportsmen have with their hair. Give me Panesar and his patka any time.
Will Luke is assistant editor of ESPNcricinfo