The spin doctor, Monty Panesar, will see you now

It is this can-do attitude and boundless enthusiasm that have helped Panesar to become the only Sikh to play for any national cricket team apart from India. At times it has looked an uphill struggle and he’s the first to admit he is not always a natural athlete.

"I’m aware of it and I realise it’s important to work on that aspect of my game, but I enjoy working hard and I have no problem putting the hours in. It takes an elephant time to turn round, too."

For every detractor, there are dozens of fans, many wearing a homemade patka (the proper name for the small turban Panesar wears) and cheering on "the Montster", another of his many nicknames. On YouTube, the video-sharing website, fans have posted a song about "the man with enormous hands".