Panesar keen to show he can still make the grade

JPCT 210513 Sussex County cricket club at Horsham. Monty Panesar left and Steve Magoffin. Photo by Derek Martin

The 31-year-old played just two Tests, in Adelaide and Melbourne, as England were whitewashed in their Ashes series against Australia recently.

Panesar is determined his appearance in the Boxing Day Test should not be his last as he said: “I’m really determined and I have a lot of hunger and a lot of desire in me that the MCG isn’t my last Test, that I continue to play lots more cricket for England.

“I feel I’ve got a lot to offer, and it’s one of the reasons I’m here in Sydney for a couple of months.”

Panesar will be playing for Western Suburbs, having previously played for Randwick-Petersham after England’s last visit to Australia.

He continued: “I’m looking to improve other facets of my game as much as I can, like my fielding and my batting, as well as my bowling and fitness work.

“I’m out here for a couple of months, to prove to the England selectors and also back home that there’s a lot of hunger and desire in me to get back in the England team.”

He was also keen to defend captain and former Bedfordshire team-mate Alastair Cook who has come under pressure following England’s disastrous tour.

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