 Harmison would like more people to respect the talents of Panesar |
Steve Harmison has urged England's vocal support to stop treating cult figure Monty Panesar as a joke and realise his importance to the team. Paceman Harmison claimed the headlines on the opening day of the second Test at Old Trafford by claiming 6-19 to dismiss Pakistan for a paltry 119.
But Northants spinner Panesar took 3-21 in 7.4 overs including the key wicket of Mohammad Yousuf just before lunch.
"It upsets me a lot when people have a go at Monty," said Durham ace Harmison.
"When the ball goes to him in the field the crowd laugh and they jeer.
"But Monty is a very, very good left-arm spinner and a number 11 batsman and
the guy works so hard on his fielding it's ridiculous - he works just as hard on
his fielding as he does on his bowling and his batting.
"What he's done is prove to everyone every time he plays a Test match is he's
getting better and better with his batting, bowling and fielding.
"I think Monty bowled an exceptional spell from the other end.
"He kept the man on strike for me to attack and when you get that it's good because you don't have to work anyone over because you've done it the previous over."
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