Master Class Session 6
Mar 30 2007
Monty Panesar: Spinning a web of charm!
Monty Panesar arrived on time to join the boys at the Cricket Star Academy for a special day out. And special it was in many ways! He was here as a guest and to indulge the boys in a Master Class session. Flying 36 or so hours was just a small bump along the way for this modest and unpretentious left arm spinner who has taken the cricketing world by storm. Predictably the boys, more vocal perhaps through S Prabhu, asked him about England’s victory against Australia, the Commonwealth Bank series and his own first 5-wicket haul in his debut match during the Ashes. But far from elaborating on his success, he emphasised that it was all about team interests. Training together, working together, helping each other out with flaws, were all key factors towards keeping the team in a frame of mind to positively take on the challenges that came their way. Rather than lecture the boys and make it a one-way conversation, Monty chose to throw the field open and the boys kept tossing question after question. Each time he answered them with a studied concentration and yet in a lucid language that worked well with the boys. |
Thereafter, the boys had a rare opportunity to bat against Monty Panesar and truly put their skills to the test. Predictably more than one boy felt prey to Monty’s flighted deliveries only to find himself caught in the deep. But it was Dinesh Salunke who finally set aside his waning ways. After being stumped with first ball, Dinesh quickly latched onto the left arm spinner to thump a six and a boundary off consecutive deliveries. And it was no surprise in the end that Dinesh was the winner of the test.
The afternoon sun was beating down without mercy. But Monty looked as fresh as he did when he first came to the MIG Club. He spent the rest of the afternoon sharing tips and working with the boys in the nets. Such seemed his concentrated efforts that the boys enjoyed the experience and even the sun could not succeed outlasting the brilliance of Monty Panesar on the day!
