Published: 25/02/2010 14:46:04 | Modified: 25/02/2010 14:50:39
Author: Bruce Talbot | All Contributors
Panesar: winter soul-searching will do me good
Monty Panesar believes the soul-searching he has done over the last few months will help him become a better cricketer.
The 27-year-old began training with his new county Sussex this week after spending the winter playing in South Africa’s first-class competition for Highveld Lions.
His statistics -15 wickets at 39.66 in six matches – do not suggest that the Monty who was winning Test matches for England less than two years ago is back. But Panesar is convinced he is on the right track and that Sussex and England will soon reap the rewards.
He said: “I want to take responsibility for my own development and going to South Africa, experiencing different cricket cultures, conditions and team environment was all part of that.
“In the past I have tended to over-analyse when things went wrong, it’s my own fault. I would go to my comfort blankets – coaches and video analysis – for the answers rather than looking within. Most of the time the most accurate information comes from inside, I have learned to trust myself more.
“Most players go through a journey in their career when you experience ups and downs. I feel I am a more mature, resilient cricketer now and someone prepared to take responsibility for my own actions.
“South Africa was a great experience. The pitches tended to be batsman-friendly but I was pleased with how the ball was coming out.”
While he was in Johannesburg Panesar joined England at net practice, his first involvement with them since he helped to save the first Ashes Test in Cardiff last June, the 39th Test of his career.
With Graeme Swann, Adil Rashid and James Tredwell having all moved above him in the spinners’ pecking order this winter, there is work to do for Panesar to regain his England place and his priority at the moment is finding his feet with his new county.
On seaside visits to Sussex from his family home in Luton, a young Panesar was a frequent visit to the County Ground and at a press conference this week he seemed relaxed and enjoying his new surroundings.
Sussex regard it as the domestic signing of the winter and coach Mark Robinson, who made the same journey from Northamptonshire as Panesar has done, believes Hove is an environment where he can flourish.
“We just want Monty to do what he does best, which is enjoy his cricket and play with a smile on his face,” said Robinson. “When he does that and works hard he is one of the best there is.
“I feel a bit for what he has gone through in the last year or so. In some ways he has taken pressure off Matt Prior because all of a sudden everyone has become an expert in left-arm spin instead of wicket-keeping.
“He has made some tough choices this winter – coming here and going to South Africa – but he is up for the fight.”
After several years of heavy losses, meanwhile, Sussex have announced a small profit of £1,455 in their latest accounts.
Income rose by 29% to a record £5.8m thanks to their one-day success and participation in the Champions League. This helped offset a £286,000 reduction in interest on the £12m Spen Cama legacy caused by tumbling interest rates.