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monty-panesar
The Ashes are ablaze once more
By Will last year, mid-July, 2 Comments »
Of all the results. Of all the venues. I still can’t quite grasp how England’s Nos. 10 and 11 managed to seal a draw, but seal it they did in one of the tensest, most gripping matches I’ve had the great fortune of commentating on. Once Paul Collingwood fell, I and the rest of England had given up all hope. Monty Panesar does not instill great hope in anyone. He averages under 6 in Test cricket for a very good reason, yet somehow produced the innings of his life – and bar one or two understandably nervy strokes, for the most part played incredibly straight. James Anderson, well, we almost expect it from him nowadays.
So here are the final few overs that I cobbled – apologies for any errors, but in the heat of the moment and with fingers rapidly cramping, they are almost inevitable. There’s a shed load of class from our three at the ground, too – this, explaining Ponting’s anger at England’s use of the 12th man; and this on Collingwood, the tenacious ginger.
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England need to survive until 6.41pm because that’ll be too late for Australia to come back on and chase |
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100.1 |
Hauritz to Anderson, no run, tossed up on leg, back and defending |
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100.2 |
Hauritz to Anderson, no run, padded away |
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100.3 |
Hauritz to Anderson, 1 run, comes forward and smothers it, opening the face and guiding down to third man. They’ll take a single |
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Around the wicket |
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100.4 |
Hauritz to Panesar, no run, flighted on the off stump. Monty defends. Good ball though. Thousands and thousands cheer him as though he’s won the game for England |
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100.5 |
Hauritz to Panesar, no run, wonderful ball but well played. On the off stump and defended |
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100.6 |
Hauritz to Panesar, no run, wide of the off stump, prodigious turn and bounce |
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End of over 101 (1 run) England 246/9
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Right here comes North. Change of bowling. My fingers are cramping massively so bear with me, might be slightly slow 12th man runs out for England and absolutely legs it out into the middle with a word for Anderson and Panesar. A reminder: it’s now a time issue. Four overs must be bowled, but Australia have 11 minutes to bowl England out. That’s the situation. Keep 6.41pm in your mind. It’s in exactly ten minutes. |
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101.1 |
North to Anderson, 1 run, cracked in the air square of the wicket – where’s this gone? It lands safe! It’s safe, but the pair crash into eachother mid-pitch while staring at the ball |
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101.2 |
North to Panesar, FOUR, four! Panesar’s crashed him square of the wicket for four! Ponting can’t believe it. Monty can’t believe it. I certainly can’t believe it |
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101.3 |
North to Panesar, no run, defended on the front foot |
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101.4 |
North to Panesar, no run, flighted on middle, and he’s forward, defending |
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He is around the wicket by the way. Has been all over |
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101.5 |
North to Panesar, no run, solidly defended – very firm |
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101.6 |
North to Panesar, no run, perhaps the biggest cheer of the Test as Panesar smothers it on the front foot |
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End of over 102 (5 runs) England 251/9
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Shafayat is on the field with some gloves and questions. Ponting’s told him where to go in true Aussie style, and you can’t blame him. The physio’s on, too. Oh come on England, just suck it up and get on with it. Embarrassing. Right, they’ve bogged off so here we go. The noise is just amazing, incredible |
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102.1 |
Hauritz to Anderson, no run, blocked off the back foot. The roof’s off again! The noise is just wonderful |
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102.2 |
Hauritz to Anderson, no run, blocked once more. Cardiff erupts. Then silence. |
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102.3 |
Hauritz to Anderson, no run, blocked again on the front foot. Cardiff explodes. Cardiff goes quiet. Silent. |
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102.4 |
Hauritz to Anderson, no run, that’s well bowled but Hauritz is tensing up. Not really spinning it any more. Cardiff explodes with delight then a hushed whisper as Hauritz comes in once more |
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102.5 |
Hauritz to Anderson, no run, full toss, pushed out to the off side |
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102.6 |
Hauritz to Anderson, no run, quicker ball! Well bowled! Blocked. Cardiff explodes once more and this time it’s not followed by silence. The noisehere! |
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End of over 103 (maiden) England 251/9
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The crowd think England have done it, but they haven’t yet. It’s one more over. Possibly two. |
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103.1 |
North to Panesar, no run, comes forward and gets a bit of backspin on it as he defends. Cardiff erupts. Cardiff goes silent |
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103.2 |
North to Panesar, no run, forward onto the front foot and defends. Capital of Wales goes mad. Capital of Wales goes silent |
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103.3 |
North to Panesar, no run, left alone outside off |
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103.4 |
North to Panesar, no run, tense from North. Left alone. Too wide. Way, way too wide. Cardiff explodes |
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103.5 |
North to Panesar, no run, edged, short of slip. Soft hands from Panesar. Slowish turn |
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103.6 |
North to Panesar, no run, flighted on the off stump and Panesar survives. Cardiff is alight. The crowd are alive. Ponting is talking to the umpires and trying to work out the times |
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End of over 104 (maiden) England 251/9
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It’s 6.39pm. 6.40pm is the cut-off. We’ll have one more over. This could be the last over of the match. This is so, so, so tense. Hauritz around the wicket |
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104.1 |
Hauritz to Anderson, no run, quicker ball on leg stump, nudged to leg. Cardiff explodes, then a hushed silence |
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You can hear a pin drop |
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104.2 |
Hauritz to Anderson, no run, flighted on middle and defended |
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104.3 |
Hauritz to Anderson, no run, tosses this up on the middle stump and he’s forward. It prompts more emphatic, cacophonous cheer from the crowd. And then silence |
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104.4 |
Hauritz to Anderson, no run, huge turn for once but it’s too wide. It’s too wide from Hauritz |
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104.5 |
Hauritz to Anderson, no run, drifts in, darts in on middle. Blocked. Blocked. |
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This could be it. This is the last ball of the match in theory. |
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104.6 |
Hauritz to Anderson, 1 bye, wide of the off stump, off the pads and balloons over the slips. They run a bye. They run a bye. Ponting scratches his chin, he looks distraught. Anderson talks to the umpires. No one knows what’s going on! But they shake hands and England have drawn! It’s all over! |
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No Vaughan, no Harmy, but Monty makes it
By Will last year, at the end of June, 5 Comments »
All rather predictable, I felt – England’s squad announcement, that is. But one man’s name did surprise me: Monty Panesar. He’s been flayed all around Division 2 of the Championship like a particularly forlorn-looking rag doll, and with his batting as sadly inept as it is, will England really risk him at Cardiff? Given Adil Rashid’s impressive pluck shown in the World Twenty20, he could well get a game alongside Graeme Swann for the first Test. Though as a colleague said today, plonking such a young bloke in to make his debut against the Aussies is a quickfire way to kill his confidence and ruin him for years. It’ll make or break him, but I’d rather see his name than Monty and his 70mph rockets, and hapless fielding, and putting it in the right (or wrong) areas (singular – there is only one area)… etc.
Ian Bell, meanwhile, has been told to grow up with his elevation to captaincy of the England Lions – a good decision. It’ll be absolutely fascinating to see how he reacts to it, how he manages the likes of Harmison (selected for the Lions, but not for the main pre-Ashes squad).
Your thoughts?
5 Comments »The highs and lows of England’s winter
By Mark Tilley last year, mid-April, 4 Comments »
So England’s winter is finally over and after events in St. Lucia last Friday, a slight gloss has been applied to what was otherwise a woeful away season. Captaincy changes, managerial controversy and some truly dire results had left many writing off England in all formats of the game and, arguably, those critics were fully justified in their prognosis. But the one day series win against West Indies has altered the balance just a tad and will provide England fans with a cruel glimmer of hope and optimism.
With the home series return with the West Indies just weeks away, there is hardly any time for reflection on what state English cricket is in. But we can all try our best to analyse so let us have a brief look at the successes and failures of England’s mostly winless winter.
Successes:
Andrew Strauss – The main man. Strauss’ resurgence as one of England’s most important batsman started way back in early December with those twin centuries in Chennai against India, becoming the 10th Englishman in history to register three figures in both innings of a Test match. Elevated to the captaincy in the wake of the Kevin Pietersen/Peter Moores scandal, Strauss’ batting went on leaps and bounds as he blasted three big hundreds in consecutive games during the run fest against the West Indies. But it was in the one day arena where he really impressed both as a captain and batsman. With critics from all corners doubting his limited overs technique, Strauss scored a backs-to-the-wall hundred in Guyana before a rapid, match-winning 79 not out saw his team home in Barbados. England’s series win will be a huge fillip for Strauss as he looks to build on the slow progress his team are making.
Paul Collingwood – For a man who is supposedly on the brink of being dropped most of the time, he is a capable batsman. His century in India evoked memories of his maiden hundred in Nagpur back in 2006. But he really came to the party in the Caribbean, scoring two tons and falling agonisingly short of a third, trying to up the pace in Barbados. His one day exploits were crucial for the new captain Strauss. Perfect for keeping a lid on flamboyant scoring or for getting some important runs in a tight situation, Collingwood is England go-to guy in one day cricket and will be for a while yet.
Stuart Broad – For a while, Broad’s batting was threatening to overshadow his bowling. His performances with the ball in the Caribbean will have informed people that progress is being made. Broad wasn’t in the same verve as Harmison circa 2004 and at times he and the rest of the attack hardly looked like taking a wicket (those long spells in the field for England in Barbados and Trinidad spring to mind). But he did show promise; in Jamaica he took 5-95, his first five wicket haul. During England’s wicket hunt in Antigua, he bowled a superb spell to remove Ramnaresh Sarwan and Shivnarine Chanderpaul, ending their frustrating partnership. He has all the accuracy of a young Glenn McGrath and is developing a dangerous pace too. He is still a work in progress – but what a work he is.
Failures:
Ian Bell – From stylish fixture of the middle order to unused drinks carrier, all in one tour. Bell’s miserable winter has seen him lose his place from all formats of England’s side. Bell began in India at number three, hoping to secure the place vacated by Michael Vaughan. A desperately lean series was followed up by a poor performance in the first Test at Jamaica and with the selectors looking for a sacrificial lamb, Bell was replaced by Owais Shah. Cast aside for the time being, is Bell too gifted a player to be left out? It is frustrating watching him play for England. He looks technically superb and, when in the right frame of mind, can be a dominant, free scoring batsman. But he is light-years away from being consistent enough, especially for the coveted number three spot. His best hope for a recall would be in the middle order, where the bulk of his previous Test runs have come.
Ryan Sidebottom – Another player who has gone worryingly backwards in the last year. He ended last winter by taking a ridiculous number of wickets in New Zealand and becoming the leader of England’s blossoming attack. Frequent injuries have reduced him to a shadow of the bowler he was. Ailing, slow and unthreatening, Sidebottom’s performance in the Barbados Test match left plenty to be desired. He looked slow in the field and was frequently barracked by his team-mates for misjudgements. When bowling, his pace was down and he was generally off colour. His status as the teams most dangerous swing bowler has now gone to James Anderson, who is a great deal quicker too. One feels for him as the amount of injuries he has suffered has surely had a harsh effect but England cannot put up with his level of performance for much longer, especially with the Aussies rolling in soon.
Monty Panesar – From a claim to be the world’s best finger spinner to England’s number two – Panesar has gone through quite a turnaround in his international career. Dropped for the Antigua Test and replaced by Graeme Swann, Panesar had clearly exhausted the patience of the England selectors. His deficiencies are well documented; poor batting, awful fielding, lack of variation when bowling, etc. In short, Panesar had become an unthreatening spinner. His lack of success on a fifth day pitch in India was extremely exasperating, especially so given the success had by fellow spinner Swann, a Test match novice. Panesar was back quickly, though, as England opted for two twirlers at Trinidad. And, thankfully, he showed some imagination, bowling with a great deal of thought and variation. The jury is out for the Ashes, however. Swann is a fine spinner and at least offers something with the bat. Panesar will need a huge amount of selectorial faith and some early season accomplishment if he is to be trusted by England again.
Honourable mentions must go to Graeme Swann, who excelled after making his Test debut and had already bagged two five-fors after just a handful of games, and Andrew Flintoff, who played a fine, supporting innings to Kevin Pietersen in Mohali and really thrilled with the ball at times in the Caribbean, ending things with that hat trick. Dishonourable mentions? Steve Harmison didn’t really excel like we prayed he would in the West Indies and looks to be well short on pace and, crucially, confidence. Owais Shah finally had his long awaited chance handed to him and he promptly decided to keep everyone guessing with some inept performances. Whether his ‘extended run’ in the side will last depends purely on the early season form of Ian Bell and Michael Vaughan.
4 Comments »England’s bowling attack
By Mark Tilley last year, mid-February, 3 Comments »
Is it just me or do England have a seriously good looking attack on display in the current Test match? Speed-wise, even the most skeptical of cricket fans would have to admit it’s impressive. Steve Harmison, Andrew Flintoff, James Anderson and, to a slightly lesser extent, Stuart Broad are all genuinely capable of the odd delivery in excess of 90 mph and they give the captain a wealth of options.
Harmison is painfully erratic and may well be a spent force but he is still capable of rattling his opponents, even if his days are becoming increasingly numbered. Flintoff is as reliable and dangerous as ever and Broad is a developing into a threatening force, fresh from his maiden five wicket haul in Jamaica last week. Jimmy Anderson, like Harmison, can be inconsistent but his pace is an asset and he can be a genuine strike bowler, especially when the ball is swinging (anyone remember 7-43 against New Zealand in Nottingham?).
But the decision to replace Monty Panesar with Graeme Swann could also be the most important one. Panesar’s recent struggles are heavily documented and he was out-bowled by Swann during England’s toiling in India. Swann’s ability with the willow also means England can potentially bat down to 9, so if he can turn it on with the ball in the way that Panesar hasn’t been able to for a while, then England will surely be forced to give him a run in the side.
Far be it from me to play the role of England selector, but the current bowling attack would probably be my first choice to play when the Aussies come to town in July. I would allow a bit of room for change over the spinner, as Panesar, for all his troubles, is capable of being dangerous but if you pinned me down and asked me for a set of names, then I’d be happy to give you this lot. It’s harsh on Ryan Sidebottom but he’d always be in contention to play, dependant on the conditions. The same goes for Simon Jones, although he may or may not ever be fit again.
Thoughts - would anyone rather see Monty back? Is there still life in Harmison? Answers on a postcard please.
3 Comments »The umpire review system
By Will last year, at the start of February, 3 Comments »
This is the first series that I’ve covered full-on in which this system has been used, and I’m already unimpressed. It doesn’t work. Poor Tony Hill (who wasn’t even meant to be officiating in this Test; de Silva couldn’t get a visa in time) has been made to look a wally which is, I suppose, par for the course when his every move is under such microscopic scrutiny. It is somehow more galling, though, that the players who are under his officialdom now have the authority to question, well, his authority. It doesn’t fit.
For the record, I’m in favour of technology. It’s there to be used and advances will ensure that it’s omnipresent in all sports forever more. But dipping our toes into it like this – and worse, letting the players be the judges – has a negative impact upon the game. Either we go full throttle and use it to its full impact and potential or not at all.
On 85 Chris Gayle was thought to have flicked a catch behind to Matt Prior. But the TV umpire, when it was referred, can’t use Hawkeye or Hotspot and so he couldn’t make a fully informed decision. Gayle was reprieved.
Later, England wasted another of their referral opportunities when Monty Panesar (bless him) clapped like a hungry seal for an appeal which was, even by his standards, hilariously hopeful. From memory, it hit outside the line. It was a ridculous decision to even refer it.
So, in short, it’s bollocks and I hope they disband it. You can’t trust players with something like this: let the umpires do their job, and give them freedom to refer all decisions upstairs.
3 Comments »Mushtaq to work with England spinners
By Mark Tilley last year, at the start of January, 1 Comment »
Mushtaq Ahmed has been given clearance to coach England’s spinners this summer. After six years playing for Sussex and plenty of domestic success, Mushtaq will bring a wealth of experience to the table and England fans will be desperately hoping he can coax out that missing magic from Monty Panesar.
Certainly, his expertise could and should be massively felt by England’s array of slow bowlers. Adil Rashid, the Yorkshire leg-spinning prodigy, could benefit greatly from the wily Pakistani. Rashid has been included in England’s Test squad for the tour of the West Indies, although it isn’t expected that he’ll be pushing for a starting place. Pundits and former players are desperate for Rashid not to be rushed and, although the experience with the squad shouldn’t do him any harm, surely the arrival of Mushtaq as spin coach will do Rashid the greater benefit.
Rashid is third in line for the premier England spinners role. Panesar currently holds that role and he will most definately be collaring Mushtaq for all the advice he can possibly give. Panesar’s lack of development in the recent year or so is an ongoing concern for the England management and with Graeme Swann impressing in India combined with Rashid’s continual development, Panesar must be nervously looking over his shoulder, fearing for his place.
Let’s hope the Mushy magic will rub off on Monty and the rest of England’s spinning hopefuls.
1 Comment »Monty wants to buy Luton Town FC
By Will 2 years ago, mid-June, 5 Comments »
If England win their Stanford match in November, and if Monty Panesar happens to be a member of the victorious XI, he will splash out his £500,000 on buying hapless Luton Town football club. I know absolutely nothing about football, but according to a colleague from Soccernet, Luton aren’t just bad: they’re bloody awful.
There’s something painfully apt about twinning Luton Town with Monty, and you can imagine his banal pre-match rousing speeches. “Yeah, come on guys. Put the ball in the right areas. Wingers? Remain positive – try to improve with each match.”
What other inspiration might he provide them?
5 Comments »New Zealand out-collapse England
By Will 2 years ago, at the end of May, 2 Comments »
It takes something for a team to match, or better, one of England’s infamous collapses, but New Zealand managed just that today. England’s brave attempt at capitulation was admirable: 5 for 28. New Zealand, however, out-collapsed them with a very flacid 7 for 29. Superb collapsing all round.
What a day. Who cares for Twenty20 when Test cricket can provide sixteen wickets in a single day, the momentum and energy flipping to and fro every hour? It was breathless cricket, with some wonderful bowling from the two spinners – Daniel Vettori and Monty Panesar – and some questionable batting mixed in among it.
How cruel momentum can be. New Zealand were utterly odds-on favourites after England’s 1990-esque capitulation in the morning. They batted like muppets in a swamp to Vettori – who bowled masterfully, it should be noted – and New Zealand stole a huge first-innings lead of 179. Cockahoop they were. But for them to be bowled out for 114 (Panesar six-fer) shows firstly what a beasting pitch this is, but moreover how fragile confidence is. You think you’re riding high, on the crest of a wave which will crash down and swallow your opponents…before you all fall off the surf board and drown in your own wave. Awful analogy I know, but you get my meaning.
And look what happened – New Zealand bowled like a drain in the final session. Too short, too wide – Alastair Cook and Andrew Strauss looked relatively at ease. Cook fell, but England really could upset the odds and do the unthinkable. They don’t deserve to win at all, but then nor do New Zealand for their awful collapse. Fascinating fourth day in prospect.
2 Comments »Playfair Cricket Annual 2008
By Will 2 years ago, mid-March, 4 Comments »
Monty Panesar is this year’s victim on the front cover of the Playfair Cricket Annual. It’s always interesting to see who is chosen and, more often than not, it’s a bit of a poisoned chalice. It’s out on April 3 and available to pre-order for a mere £4.89
England start well
By Will 3 years ago, at the start of December, 1 Comment »
Surprised? Me too, as are the whole of England no doubt. This was comfortably the best start by a touring England side to a series I can remember for years – certainly by one bowling first, and definitely by one who lost the toss. My and my colleague reckon it’s the best bowling performance since Angus Fraser took 5 for 28 against the West Indies on the first day at Sabina Park in 1990.
The threat of Muttiah Muralitharan still looms large. Like a really, really nasty weather forecast for a Bank Holiday you just know he’s going to cause havoc at some time or another, especially considering the turn Monty Panesar got. Ian Bell and Michael Vaughan played him pretty safely in the evening gloom, however.
It certainly beats the horrors of last year.
1 Comment »Monty Panesar DVD – Monty’s Cricket Madness
By Will 3 years ago, at the end of September, 2 Comments »
Dear, dear – oh dear oh dear. The premise behind this tacky-sounding DVD is either a stroke of ingenuity or a bear trap. The DVD promises “a bumper collection of cricket gaffes and goofs” which have been “proudly picked by the Barmy Army”.
In how many of the gaffes will the presenter be appearing, I wonder? Place your orders…
A question of spin
By Emma 3 years ago, at the end of August, 2 Comments »
There were several factors that divided India and England this evening, but none may have proved quite so decisive as each team’s solution to the question of spin. Diametrically opposed at the toss, England left out Panesar while India brought in Powar. And while Monty was bringing on the drinks, his Indian counterparts were bringing England’s run chase under control.
England’s decision to opt in Tremlett was based on the short straight boundary at Bristol, which prompted fears that a front-line spinner would only leak runs. This attitude also seemed to infect their batting, with Collingwood bowled on the charge and Flintoff caught in the deep. Chawla in particular was impressive, tying down England’s batsmen. Ian Bell, normally a confident player of spin, lacked fluency and while his partners fell around him, he did not manage to keep the runs ticking over. Heroic though Mascarenhas’ quick tempo half-century and Broad’s impressive last over swinging may have been, it was too little, too late, against a spiralling run rate.
Although Prior and Cook started in a positive vein, a total exceeding 300 has seldom been posted at Bristol, let alone exceeded. Indian’s batting was much like that of England’s on Tuesday; Tendulkar in particular was outstanding at the top of the order, and Dravid superlative at the close. Given their performance at the Rose Bowl, England’s bowling was verging on wayward, although still an improvement on much of what we’ve seen over the last 12 months.
Tremlett’s inclusion did not pay off; however, it is questionable whether Panesar would have made the difference. India’s batsmen are amongst the best players of spin world wide, and this was reflected in Monty’s quiet Test series. The other slower bowlers in England’s ranks were treated to high economy rates today, despite watertight showings at Southampton, and Panesar might well have fallen to the same sword.
With Sidebottom still unavailable, when Collingwood takes his teamsheet to the toss at Edgbaston, it will be intruiging to see whom he calls upon. It seems highly unlikely that Monty will miss out again.
2 Comments »A video tribute to Monty Panesar
By Will 3 years ago, at the end of July, 1 Comment »
Don’t worry, he’s not dead. This is just a video I found of the great Montster, featuring Bonnie Tyler’s brilliantly inappropriate song (in terms of the feel of the music, not the title…) Holding Out For a Hero.
Shiv Chanderpaul is…Kurt Cobain?
By Will 3 years ago, at the start of July, 2 Comments »
Arise ye geeks. I’ve just found out that one of the (many) anagrams of Shivnarine Chanderpaul is Nirvana Relaunched Hips.
Not quite as good as my Parmesan Tony (Monty Panesar), but it could catch on.
2 Comments »Twenty20 short-sightedness
By Ian 3 years ago, at the start of July, 1 Comment »
I see Sir Viv has called for England to pick a team of 20-20 specialists for the World Cup later this year. It shouldn’t take a genius to point this out to the ECB. We have players capable of winning the thing, so why not give them a run out now against the Windies, rather than using this as a warm-up for the ODIs?
Colly, who seems to have graduated from the Alec Stewart academy of interviewing, says that these are the best ODI players in the country and that they’ll adapt. Wrong! 50-50 is a different game from 20-20, so pick a different team! The only concession they made in team selection was to drop Monty, presumably because he doesn’t bat or field. Have they learned nothing from Fletcher’s mistakes?! Spin is vital in 20-20 and he’s our best spinner. Play him! How long before they wheel Gilo out again? Sheesh.
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