News

England international cricketer Monty Panesar made a test appearance of a different kind by taking time out from his hectic training schedule to sit a two-hour exam at the Otago School of Business last Monday. Panesar is studying towards a Masters of Business Administration in Sport at Loughborough University and, while in New Zealand, has kept up with his studies by having his lectures recorded and transmitted to him.

MBA Admissions and Student Development Manager, Susan Steer, told Critic that Loughborough University had approached the University of Otago to arrange for Panesar to sit the exam prior to the test match. The University “were happy to assist” by offering him space and an examiner.

In a press release from Loughborough University, Panesar remarked that the Sports MBA programme at Loughborough had given him “great insight into the challenges of sports management.” He also remarked that he could continue to balance playing cricket professionally and studying because of the “flexibility” of the course. Critic likened this to the great insight PE students receive from their degrees and the flexible future job prospects they have, such as becoming a PE teacher and … becoming a PE teacher.

The Daily Telegraph’s Derek Pringle, a former England international all-rounder, interviewed Panesar on his studies abroad. Panesar remarked that the extra letters to his name helped “to keep the brain ticking over.” He also appeared “cagey” when interviewed, no doubt wondering how commentators would deal with the name “Panesarmba” in future matches. While Pringle did commend Panesar for his studiousness, he also questioned whether completing a Master’s was consistent with the time demands of cricket. Critic would remind Pringle that Cs do, in fact, get degrees.

Panesar also took to Twitter as @Montyp713 to say that he had “just finished mba exam knocked me for six guys…” Despite finding the test difficult, Critic suspects that the chances of Panesar getting compassionate consideration for being Sikh were slim.