Monty Panesar could return to the county scene following his problems at Essex © Getty Images
Monty Panesar, the left-arm spinner, has been made part of Northamptonshire’s squad for the 2016 season having secured his own funding although the club have stressed he still faces a challenge to earn selection once he recovers from shoulder surgery.
Alex Wakely, the Northants captain, said that some “honest conversations” have been had with Panesar and he will have to prove himself worthy of selection but he sees his presence as a boost.
Last month, Panesar joined Northamptonshire’s pre-season tour of Barbados as he continued his rehabilitation from surgery.
“I would be very excited to have Monty as part of the squad as his Test pedigree and experience will be really helpful to the rest of the lads,” Wakely said. “We’ve all had some honest conversations but he is fitting in really well. He still has to prove his worth and Graeme White is bowling very well at the moment so he still faces some challenges to get a place on a team.”
Panesar, who has played 50 Tests for England, the last of which was on the 2013-14 Ashes tour, started his career with Northamptonshire having come through the youth system. In 2009 he moved to Sussex and then in 2015 to Essex but he suffered disciplinary issues at both clubs.
David Ripley, the Northants coach, said: “Monty has worked hard at his fitness which is progressing. He joined us on our pre-season tour to Barbados of his own volition where he fitted in well with the rest of the lads. He will now have to prove himself for selection.”
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Source: ESPN Crickinfo