Playing for the Campbelltown Camden Ghosts this summer is Monty Panesar’s third gig in the Sydney grade cricket competition.
But this is the most important one of all for Panesar, who last played a Test for England in December of 2013 in Melbourne.
That was his 50th cap for England, but he is trying very hard to make sure he gets a few more chances to add to his 167 Test scalps before he finally gives the game away.
At the age of 34 and as a slow left-arm orthodox spinner age is not an issue.
What is the issue for a cricketer widely admired in Australia is fully recovering from a bung shoulder and an operation 12 months ago.
“I probably came back a little bit too early after the operation,’’ Panesar tells the South West Voice during the interview inside the Ghosts bunker in Raby Sports Complex this morning.
But things are looking up since hooking up with the Ghosts, and especially with club sponsor and physiotherapist Andrew Hreszczuk from Lifestyle & Sports Physiotherapy.
“My physio, Andrew Hreszczuk, is working very hard to get me in shape, and I got a fitness trainer as well, Trent Knox, from Sydney,’’ the spinner says.
“Now the shoulder is better and a lot stronger.
[social_quote duplicate=”no” align=”default”]“I have to say the physiotherapy and fitness training in Australia is upper level.’’[/social_quote]
Panesar says the next six months could be crucial for his career and he wants to give it all he’s got.
“If I can get myself really fit and hopefully be able to prolong my career is what I am aiming for,’’ he says.
“If I can keep my shoulder strong and bowling as well as I can, maybe I can get picked up by a county as well back home.’’
Which would put him in the frame for England selection, but Panesar is taking it one grade game at a time while playing and coaching at the Ghosts.
But he admits he really likes the way Aussies play their cricket, with lots of enthusiasm and aggression.
Which is also evident all the way down to grade cricket.
“There’s a lot of enthusiasm and energy around the place, it’s in abundance in Sydney grade cricket,’’ Panesar says.
“People are loving the game, they want to learn more about the game, more training, and there’s a lot of players who want to be coached around this area.
“I do like how in Australia they play cricket with a lot of competitiveness, and I think it does help your game as well.’’
And while his number one goal is to extend his first class career, Monty Panesar is also dabbling in coaching as part of his Ghosts gig.
“Coming to the Campelltown Camden club I got the opportunity to coach the U16 and U21 teams,’’ says Panesar, who is living at Harrington Grove.
“I am Level 3 qualified cricket coach so it’s an opportunity to see what I can do in a coaching capacity and what I can offer to the club.
[social_quote duplicate=”no” align=”default”]“The club itself is under redevelopment, it’s a young group of players, it’s an opportunity for me to engage with the younger players and help with their development – as well as overall for the club.[/social_quote]
“It’s something new to me and I can hopefully help the club fill that gap.
“And help the young players have a quicker transition into all the grades.
“They’ve got good youngsters coming through, which is good and at the moment everything seems to be moving onwards and upwards.’’
great piece on monty