Monty zoomer
England’s quick-time win at Old Trafford has reignited interest in the game among the general public – well, those who pay to receive Sky TV – and also pushed cricket onto many back pages ahead of football for the first time in 2006.
George Binoy
25-Feb-2013
The Observer
England’s quick-time win at Old Trafford has reignited interest in the game among the general public – well, those who pay to receive Sky TV – and also pushed cricket onto many back pages ahead of football for the first time in 2006.
Even though Steve Harmison grabbed 11 wickets and the Man-of-the-Match award, it was Monty Panesar who grabbed the media attention.
Vic Marks, in The Observer, wrote that at last Panesar had cast off the label of being something of a comedy figure:
“Panesar has dominated in a manner that has embarrassed some pundits. One or two had advocated an all-seam attack for England. In the first innings Panesar was Harmison's ally and patently the second most important member of Andrew Strauss's attack. Yesterday he was the main man.”
Huw Turberville in The Sunday Telegraph said that Panesar was now assured of Ashes selection:
“England coach Duncan Fletcher has never appeared to be fully convinced of Panesar's abilities, expressing concern at his lack of batting and fielding skills. But surely this performance will have persuaded him the 24-year-old warrants a place in England's starting line-up for their Ashes defence this winter, even if Ashley Giles regains fitness.”
David Gower in The Sunday Times agreed, but added that it would not be easy going Down Under:
“His big challenge will come in Australia this winter where the pressure on the entire England team will rise to new levels and where the home crowds will be quick to seize on any signs of weakness. By the look of it, he has the capacity to cope with them but he will have to be wary of an Australian batting force that will be intent on making life as hard as possible for him.”
Jon Culley in The Independent noted that if BBC Sport were scratching their heads for a nominee for the Sports Personality of the Year after a fairly bleak year elsewhere, they now have a clear contender. He added:
”As a display of attacking spin bowling, yesterday's performance by the 24-year-old Northamptonshire player was as good as has been witnessed from anyone in an England shirt in decades.”
George Binoy is an assistant editor at ESPNcricinfo