Troubled Panesar handed suspended ban after fearing for his international career

In his third appearance for Essex, on-loan Panesar was seen to have swung his right leg extravagantly in the direction of Worcestershire batsman Ross Whiteley after he had taken a single.

Panesar claimed that the kick was not directed at Whiteley but merely reflected his frustration.

But senior umpire Peter Willey later reported the event as part of “two incidents” in which Panesar’s actions “were potentially threatening and intimidating towards a member of the opposition”.

As a result he will serve a one-match ban if he errs again at any stage of the 2014 season.

Panesar said: “I wouldn’t say I was either threatening or intimidating. But I will admit to becoming incredibly frustrated because I was having no luck at all, with inside edges and catches falling just short.

“I have to be aggressive when I bowl but it was a minor incident that I accept.

“The ECB and I have spoken about it and I must be mindful of my behaviour, but it’s not seen as a problem by England.”

Neither that, nor the incident in a Brighton nightclub though, have affected his call-up to England’s Ashes squad for the winter tour to Australia, with national selector Geoff Miller, reportedly confident Panesar is tackling his problems.

The 31-year-old has admitted he thought his international career might be over as a result, saying: “I just can’t tell you how thrilled I am with the selection.

“It’s an incredible boost I needed as a cricketer and as a person, after a chapter in my life I’m ashamed of.

“I know it looks terrible but I wasn’t as drunk as people believe.

“Yes, I’d had a lot to drink, but I wasn’t paralytic. I was asked to leave and then got caught short.

“The next thing I knew the bouncers were shouting at me and running after me.

“I swear I didn’t see them and I had no intention of purposefully urinating on them or near them.

“To be honest, I barely went at all and I’m pretty sure I didn’t hit them. The next morning I woke up and thought, ‘What have I done?’

“My first reaction was that I’d just thrown my England career away, maybe even my whole cricket career. I felt very lonely and very depressed. It was a very dark time.

“KP (Kevin Pietersen) did send a text telling me to keep my chin up and not to be too worried, which was nice.”

On announcing his Ashes selection, Miller added: “Monty had his problems, which we’ve worked hard to rectify in the last six weeks – and he has too.

“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.”

It will be Panesar’s third Ashes tour and even if he doesn’t play he is hopefully he can contribute.

He added: “I know there’s a chance I might not get a Test match in Australia, and I’m sure I’ll get some stick from the Aussie players and crowds, but I am determined to be eager, positive, supportive and ready if a chance comes my way.

“I’m hoping I can be involved in a fourth consecutive Ashes victory and I’m very confident I will be, even if it’s as a squad member.”