On a sticky wicket

Sixteen years ago in Manchester, New Zealand lost a cricket test to England after Monty Panesar, the spinner, took six wickets for just 37 runs. It was a memorable performance, and Panesar was duly hailed as the best English left-arm spin bowler of his generation.

- Andrew Anthony

Spin bowling is a subtle art that requires great technique, thoughtful tactics and the courage of your convictions. Get it wrong and you can easily look hapless. But get it right and you're a hero.

The problem with adulation, however, is that it can go to your head. Too much of it and the receiver can begin to think the crowd loves them not for their particular sporting skills but for themselves in their totality.

And when the sporting career comes to an end, the crowds disappear and the applause stops, there is often a desire to go in search of it in other fields. Panesar played his last test for England 11 years ago, and after retiring from first class cricket in 2016, his public profile quickly began to diminish.

So it was a surprise earlier this month when he returned to the headlines with a bold mission statement.

"When I played for England there was so much support for me," he explained, and now he was going to return the favour by coming to the aid of the embattled working class.