Monty Panesar given suspended ban for intimidating behaviour
by Andy Wilson
Cricket news, scores and fixtures
• Spinner cited for two incidents against Worcs
• England assure him Ashes place is safe
England remain happy to take Monty Panesar to Australia this winter despite more disciplinary trouble for the left-arm spinner.
Panesar, who was not considered when England chose Simon Kerrigan as a second spinner for the fifth Test of this summer's home Ashes series at The Oval as the result of his arrest for drunken misbehaviour outside a Brighton nightclub in August, has now been given a suspended ban until the end of the 2014 season for "potentially threatening and intimidating" behaviour towards an opposition player in Essex's County Championship match against Worcestershire earlier this month.
But an England source said that the national selector Geoff Miller was aware of the incident when he expressed his confidence that Panesar was tackling his problems, with help from the England and Wales Cricket Board, in announcing his recall last week.
"Monty had his problems, which we've worked hard to rectify in the last six weeks – and he has too," Miller said. "He's a proven international bowler, who has shown what he's capable of doing on many occasions for us. He's very prepared to let his bowling do the talking for him, so I'm prepared to accept that. He's an experienced international player and it's up to him to actually produce the goods for us."
The 31-year-old was offered the chance to rebuild his career with Essex after being dropped and released by Sussex. But he proved worryingly unable to control his frustration in the game against Worcestershire at Chelmsford, even though Essex went on to win comfortably.
The incident was reported by the umpires Martin Bodenham and Peter Willey, and referred to an ECB Cricket Discipline Commission hearing. They accepted "that he breached ECB Directive 3.2 in that he did not conduct himself fairly and properly on the field, following two incidents during the LV= County Championship match between Essex and Worcestershire on Tuesday 3rd – Friday 6th September in which his actions were potentially threatening and intimidating towards a member of the opposition".
Panesar has apologised for his behaviour – as he did after the Brighton nightclub incident, when he was arrested for urinating in the direction of bouncers – and will now have the threat of the one-match ban hanging over him if he misbehaves again next season. There is no word yet on where he will be playing next year, Essex having initially signed him on a short-term basis. Northamptonshire, his former county who had initially been favourites, have recently ruled themselves out of the running.
Monty Panesar
England cricket team
Ashes 2013-14
The Ashes
Australia sport
Cricket
Andy Wilson
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