Monty Panesar - Domestic Career

Domestic Career

Originally a medium-pace bowler, he shifted to spin at around sixteen following advice from the Northamptonshire coaching staff. Paul Taylor, the former Northamptonshire seamer, suggested he switch to spin during a school coaching session.

As a schoolboy Panesar played cricket at Bedford Modern School for Stopsley High School, Dunstable Town CC and Luton Indian CC before being selected for the England Under-19 team. His first-class debut came in 2001 at the age of 19 against Leicestershire. He took eight wickets in the match including 4-11 in the second innings, bowling 16 maidens. His appearances over the next few years were limited, partly because of his commitment as a full-time student at Loughborough University. After graduating, he became a more important member of the team and had a fine season in 2005, taking 51 County Championship wickets at an average of just 22.47 including career-best figures of 7-181 against Essex.

In the 2009-10 season he signed to play for the Highveld Lions in South Africa.

In the 2010 season Panesar joined Sussex after leaving Northamptonshire at the end of the 2009 season. He impressed at Sussex in his debut season, taking 52 wickets, including two five-wicket hauls, at an average of 25.69. He went on to score 163 runs at an average of 10.86 with a career-high score of 46 not out.

In the 2011 season Panesar picked up 69 wickets for his county, making him the second highest wicket taker for the division. He took them at an average of 27.24, which included three five-wicket hauls.

For his efforts in the 2011 season Panesar was rewarded with selection for the England team to tour Pakistan in the U.A.E. and Sri Lanka in 2012. During the 2012 season he picked up his career-best figures in both an innings and a match. He took 7-60 in the first innings, and 6-77 in the second, taking 13-137 for the match against Somerset. England selector James Whitaker was watching and Panesar was hoping to be picked as the second spinner for the tour of India. This was only the second time he had taken 7 wickets in an innings, and his 30th five-wicket haul and 4th ten wickets in a match.