The Monty Effect

Journos just can't seem to have enough of Monty Panesar, and now it's Mike Brearley's turn to take a harmless dig at the latest 'crowd craze'. Brearley, in The Observer compares Panesar to Manuel of Fawlty Towers, reflecting the England public's multi-racial attitude.

What induces crowds not always known for their their lack of xenophobia to take someone who seems to be an improbable choice to their hearts? I'm thinking of the Monty Panesar effect.

Stephen Fay, in The Independent on Sunday, wonders about the tolerance levels of a player's limitations, referring to Panesar's abilities as a batsman and fielder. A few exceptional others got away, but Monty?

The crowd laughs out loud when Panesar simply forgets how to stop a ball short and concedes two runs unnecessarily. His colleagues do not share the joke. Andrew Flintoff shakes his head in disbelief.