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‘Groundbreaking attempt’? I don’t think the writer of that quote knows much about cricket. How about Surrey’s previous top class overseas spinner - Saqlain? What about Sussex’s (and Worcestershire’s) ‘ground breaking’ signing of Imran Khan? Waqar Younis? Wasim Akram’s long stint at Lancashire and Engineer’s stalwart service long before that? Bishen Bedi at Northants? The list is endless. Recruiting one f the best spinners in the world is an obvious move. It doesn’t hurt that he might attract some more spectators of an indian background to Surrey’s matches - but ‘groundbreaking’? Surely not. Great blog by the way.
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Turbanator - The Singh From Southall
By Will 4 years ago, mid-March Leave a comment on this post
This article on Harbhajan Singh was really enjoyable. I happened to read it on the train, passing Southall the other night which made it pretty apt. I hadn’t realised he’d spent time in Southall, a massive Asian community (and an excellent place to get proper spices if you like curries, like me) just west of London.
The reasons behind his Surrey signing are also worth noting:
While Singh is not the first Indian to play for an English county, Surrey’s decision to sign him is being viewed as a ground-breaking attempt to cash in on the lucrative cricket market in the Indian sub-continent and increase the county’s popularity among British Asians.
The ECB has, for quite a few years, wanted to tap into the “Asian market” which it feels has a lot to offer to the national side. If we can produce a Singh or 2 - then, go for it.
4 Responses to “Turbanator - The Singh From Southall”
March 11th, 2005 at 11.53 am
March 18th, 2005 at 9.59 pm
Nick, I agree the writer chose the wrong words in “groundbreaking.” But I do think this particular signing is part of a specific, deliberate intention/attempt to promote the game to Asian communities - whereas, in years gone by, the names you mention were simply outstanding overseas bowlers. Who knows. I’m looking forward to watching Singh at the new Oval whatever the reasons!
October 14th, 2007 at 1.47 pm
Southall has had a new hero for sometime – Monty Panesar (Madhusudan Singh Panesar).
October 14th, 2007 at 2.42 pm
Mudhsuden, rather…
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