Monty Panesar on way back after 'falling out of love with cricket'
Friday 14 August 2015 14:10, UK
Monty Panesar has revealed he took a break from cricket after "falling out of love with the game" following the loss of his place in the England team.
The spinner made his return for Essex in their County Championship defeat by Surrey last week, his first match since April.
The 33-year-old believes he can still play for England and is keen to coach young bowlers.
And Panesar said he is feeling refreshed but admits “few people know the extent of my personal challenges”.
“I fell out of love with cricket during the winter partly due to not being involved with England,” he told the Daily Telegraph.
“In pre-season I was unhappy about several aspects of my career and life, but I am now feeling refreshed, re-energised and refocused in becoming the best version of Monty I can be, on and off the field of play.
“I am now prioritising my well-being first and my cricket second, even though cricket is a very big priority in my life.
“I love cricket and I love bowling. I want to play at the top level again and also, one day, coach young spinners.”
Panesar, whose two-year deal with Essex expires this summer, took five wickets in his side's defeat to Surrey at Colchester.
And he praised the club’s fans for the warm reception he received on his return to the game.
"The supporters at Essex are brilliant and it reminded me of the wonderful reception I got when I first played for the club on loan back in 2013, which was also at Castle Park,” he said.
“The way they first received me is one of the main reasons why I decided to sign for the club on a full-time basis after the initial enjoyable period on loan. And despite my difficulties they remain very good towards me.”
Panesar has not played for the national team since the Boxing Day Test against Australia in Melbourne in 2013.
He will be hoping to return to form ahead of England’s tour to the United Arab Emirates to face Pakistan in October.
His personal coach Neil Burns said: “I know that he really wants to go to UAE this winter and recreate the success he has had against Pakistan previously.
“He loves bowling in the UAE. I think he is the best spin bowler in England.”
