Get off Monty’s back, says Harmison by CricketArchive Staff Reporter

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Player:

MS Panesar, SJ Harmison

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DateLine: 29th July 2006

 

England paceman Steve Harmison pleaded with fans to give Sikh spinner Monty Panesar a break after the two combined to bowl Pakistan out for just 119 on the first day of the second Test at Old Trafford on Thursday.

 

Panesar has become something of a cult hero with fans often cheering him every time he touches the ball in the field, as if surprised he hadn’t fumbled.

 

"It sometimes upsets me a lot that people have a go at Monty. The ball goes to him in the field and the crowd laugh and cheer and this, that and the other," Harmison said. "Monty is a very good left-arm spinner. He's a No 11 batsman and the guy works so hard on his fielding, it's ridiculous. He's different, he looks different, everything about him is different. But he is a great member of our team."