Panesar

[pie_chucker]

Originally Posted by greg

so why run him down constantly?

Exactly, he's a fine spinner who will only get better.

He will never be a Shane Warne, but then again no one else will either. I dont consider the only other match winning spinner around to be a "bowler", so international cricket's a little thin on match winning spinners at the moment.

[Nostromo]

Originally Posted by greg

Monty is a good test spinner and is better than any other English spinner from the last 20 years so you can't blame us for being excited about him.Even good judges from Pakistan and India have praised him up as being above average so why run him down constantly?

Nobody is running him down......at least I am not. Panesar is a quality spinner and probably better than most that England have produced in the last 20 years. But that really does not say much because England have not produced a world class spinner in the last 20 years. But what I believe is overhype is this comparison to the likes of Warne and Murali, which is completely over the top. Panesar is most certainly not in that class and although he will have his share of success over the years, I don't believe that he will make it to the cricketing Hall of Fame.

[Younis Khan #1]

English supporters are quite predictable in the hype their players. Even listening to Nasser Hussain praise KP's false shot is making me sick.

[flanflinger]

Originally Posted by Nostromo

But what I believe is overhype is this comparison to the likes of Warne and Murali, which is completely over the top. .

Agreed Nostro, but I don't think anyone has said that he is?? Have they?

Originally Posted by Henners

Otherwise, we'll have to depend on a Panesar bowling like a man possessed (ie - Shane Warne in the Ashes 05' and 06-07)

I think what Henners was trying to say, was that in order to win this Test, Panesar would have to bowl out of his skin, if anything this indicates that there is a level of scepticism as to whether he is that good.

Panesar is the best spinner we have had in years, (Tufnel was a very good spinner but sadly he was also brainless!!), I can't see him matching the achievements of Warne or Murali (I don't see any spinners currently doing that spinners). But with Warne retired and Murali and Kumble making hints, I get the feeling he could be the No 1 spinner in the world in five years, purely on the grounds that I don't see anyone better amongst the dearth of emerging spinners, perhaps the only guy who could rival here is Yorkshire's Rashid - wouldn't that be ironic!!

[Speedboy Salesman]

Originally Posted by greg

why run him down constantly?

Because the English can't stand success

Still beats me while people want Giles back in the side. He's older now, has a couple of bad injuries against him, his much vaunted batting skills have disappeared, as has he's fielding. He's not up to England standard anymore.

And there probably isn't ever going to be another Warne, I wish people would stop going on about it. We have a decent spinner right now, and he's probably going to better with experience. Now Harmison on the other hand...

[w3lshrugby]

Panesar, yes, he holds the key for England in this innings, if he can produce another performance, weather permitting, then England could win the match - otherwise, a draw.

[pie_chucker]

Originally Posted by Speedboy Salesman

Still beats me while people want Giles back in the side. He's older now, has a couple of bad injuries against him, his much vaunted batting skills have disappeared, as has he's fielding. He's not up to England standard anymore.

I cant understand that either. I doubt Giles will ever play international cricket again now.

Giles (final) test bowling figures

 54 12180 580 6143 5/57 9/122 40.60 2.86 85.17

Panesars bowling figures so far..

 14 527.0 115 1545 48 6/129 8/93 32.18 2.93 65.8

Monty's a much more attacking bowler than "farmer" Giles and only goes for 0.07 of a run per over more. IMO with experience he will be better than Vettori (although he's not yet). No he isnt a Warne as as I've said previously he never will be, infact no other spinner will be either, or at least not for a while. He's not a Murali because his arm doesnt straighten.

What he is, is a useful spinner who can bowl tidily and varies his pace and flight well and he can give the ball a rip too. His main weakness is the one he drops short and at times he bowls a bit too quick. I'm confident he will quickly lose these faults though and become an integral part of Englands attack.

[Notts Exile]

I notice that Inzi didn't truly get the measure of Monty last summer and he's supposed to be quite good. Monty has something special and it might just be that he really wants to bowl and get wickets. He won't be in the same bracket as Warne because he's a finger spinner but he could still be a top slow left armer.

I love the way the non-english fans suggest we go over the top about our players and then go on to over criticise those same players. KP gets a lot of stick too, for good reason he's rated number three in the world. It'll be number one at some point, too!

[flanflinger]

Originally Posted by Notts Exile

I love the way the non-english fans suggest we go over the top about our players

I wouldn't mind but most sub-continent fans are masters of over hype. Look at Pathan, you would think that the way he is revered he was continually running through Test class batting attacks, but when you look at his figures you quickly see that he has only really taken wickets against the worst nations (with one exception).

Or Akhtar, fastest bowler in the world, but only in the last 2-3 years has he actually started taking wickets. Boom Boom Afridi, if only he could do it more than once in a blue moon!!

Bangladesh - they only have to win an ODI and you would think they are world champions!! But just 6 weeks after the world cup they are in danger of following on chasing a sub400 score at home - http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/bdesh...ch/282691.html

Originally Posted by Younis Khan #1

Even listening to Nasser Hussain praise KP's false shot is making me sick.

Don't listen then!! The fact is the guy has just hit a century to set up a deceleration, which may lead to a Test win, and by all accounts it was a very well paced innings, why should we not be able to praise our players when they are doing well?

[Speedboy Salesman]

Originally Posted by flanflinger

Look at Pathan, you would think that the way he is revered he was continually running through Test class batting attacks, but when you look at his figures you quickly see that he has only really taken wickets against the worst nations (with one exception).

It's funny that you should mentioned Pathan, I have a friend who's actually from Baroda (where Pathan was born and plays for Baroda) and he is one of the biggest celebrities there! I didn't have the heart to tell her he's not really done much recently