Australian bowlers strove fruitlessly to send Sangakkara packing, but eventually, it took an umpire to do that.
King, as he’s known over here at Six and Out, gets our Hero spot this week, above all the Phils, Husseys, and Yuvrajs, for his could-have-been match-winning 192.
I’ve posted this before, but I am going to post his sledging video again, which is a classic in itself.
When Panesar & Co. walk out to the fields this winter, Sangakkara is going to be one man they would want to beat.
 

Eat Cricket, Sleep Cricket, Drink Cricket
Monty Panesar, England’s wonder boy, suffered at the hands of former England coach Duncan Fletcher last year, missing some important opportunities, but good times are about to roll in for him. He has coach Peter Moores’ confidence ahead of their three-match Test encounter with Sri Lanka.

As soon Monty heard he’s Coach’s fave,

India vs England, Lord’s Day 5
Sadly, the match that was truly poised for a thrilling finish, came to nothing as England’s shoddy weather intervened. Day 5 started with India needing some 250 runs for the win, or to save 7 wickets to ensure the draw. England were in a strong position after day 4 following some terrific batting from KP, which he subsequently described as his best batting performance to-date, and some equally terrific bowling from James Anderson and Monty Panesar. Late in the day, Monty yet again claimed the prize wicket of Sachin Tendulkar to set it all up.
In …read more

They’re coming home, they’re coming home, they are coming….. Wait. Sorry. I was pre-empting the inevitable overreaction to todays remarkable events.
First things first, Australia were skittled in 71 overs for 244. The damage was done by Monty Panesar (5-92) and Steve Harmison (4-48). England were then 51/2 by the close of play, with Strauss not out 24 and Paul Collingwood not out 10. Far be it from me to point how extraordinary this was, as I saw posted on one forum “the debate over Giles and Panesar was decided in 7 balls this morning”. All eyes were on Monty Panesar. …read more

There’s no disputing it. It has been said for months now – Monty Panesar should have been in the squad ahead of Giles. Heck, I’m struggling to remember the last person, besides Fletcher, who actually backs Giles’ selection. But seeing as Fletcher is in charge, Giles got the nod, Panesar got the drinks tray, and England are 2-nil down in an Ashes series.
And despite Monty not getting the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award, which is a travesty in my book, it doesn’t matter because Fletcher cannot possibly ignore the boomingly loud voice from those people who are as …read more

Wow, there are some angry people out there. No more than a nanosecond after England snatched defeat in the 2nd test of the Ashes, and the hands are out and the gloves most definitely are off. Visit any sports website, news website, forum, messageboard, chatroom and pretty much any blog and the vultures are already tearing in to anything and everything England. People are simply up in arms over the debacle. Ben Dirs, live commenting on the match, finished with:

Jones drops an inside edge off Anderson. I’m not bothered, I don’t even like cricket. Hussey then swings Anderson away for …read more

Ex-England spinner Part-time England spinner Rubbish England spinner Injured England spinner Ashley Giles has said he’s confident of playing in Australia this winter. He’s currently out in India with the Champions Trophy squad, finishing his recuperation from a serious knee injury.
A knee injury that has kept him from playing for the best part of a year. That’s right – no cricket in a year. It’s bad enough that Michael Vaughan thinks he’s going to be available to play, but now Gilo as well?
That’s not to say he’s a shoe-in as newboy Monty Panesar has earned his wings and fortunately …read more

The list of centrally-contracted England players for 2007 will be:

I Bell
P Collingwood
A Cook

A Giles
A Flintoff
S Harmison

M Hoggard

S Jones
K Pietersen

M Panesar
A Strauss
M Trescothick
M Vaughan

Monty Panesar and Alastair Cook are both new additions to the list, with Geraint Jones missing out. The question marks ultimately concern Giles, Vaughan and Simon Jones, since both have been out of any form of cricket for the best of a year. It obviously demonstrates how much faith the England selectors have in these players. Personally I think it’s a little short-sighted, nay, dangerous, but any of those three ever regain full fitness then you’d expect them …read more

England win the 3rd Test at Headingley – but was it “all that” ?

Not only has England newbie (and all round legend) Monty Panesar had to put up with a barrage of jokes about his ineptitude in the field and with the bat, he’s now going to have to contend with the same heckles… but this time by a bunch of pissed-up morons who like look him. Can you imagine what the Headingley crowd for the 3rd Test between England and Pakistan would like if everyone downloaded and printed off the BBC’s Monty mask?
Admittedly, you don’t have to be Monty… you could be Freddie, or Hoggy, or if you’re feeling really fruity, …read more