Sussex seek to revitalise Monty

Mark Robinson hopes that Mushtaq Ahmed can impart his "love of the game" upon Monty Panesar for Sussex and England

Sussex believe they can resuscitate Monty Panesar’s career after signing the left-arm spinner on a three-year deal from Northamptonshire.

Panesar, 27, endured a tough 2009 season and left Wantage Road despite having a year left on his contract.

His most significant act on the field last summer came with bat in hand, during a resilient last-wicket stand with James Anderson which saved the first npower Ashes Test in Cardiff.

Back on the county scene, Panesar claimed just 18 victims in the LV= County Championship at an average of 59.44.

But Sussex professional cricket manager Mark Robinson is confident of revitalising a bowler who rushed to 100 Test wickets in just 28 appearances but has taken just 25 in 11 matches since.

“His career has stalled, that’s the best way of describing it,” said Sussex coach Mark Robinson. “He’s in the mental cycle which happens to a lot of sportsmen.

“Monty went from playing for Loughborough University to the England team almost overnight.

“At some point in everybody’s career there is a stop - you hit the wall - but it’s what you do after that.

“We are hoping to be beneficiaries of Monty making his way back up.”

Panesar’s on-field regression has seen his ECB central contract not renewed and outsiders pitch in with views on his technique and tactics.

But the most important advice, Robinson hopes, will be from Mushtaq Ahmed, the ECB spin bowling coach who combines part-time duties with Sussex.

Panesar's initial impact for England was astounding, evidenced by his dismissal of Younus Khan in the 2006 Headingley Test

Mushtaq already has a relationship with Panesar from England’s tour of the Caribbean earlier this year.

“We want to get him back doing what he does best - loving the game, loving bowling and loving practising," said Robinson.

“We want him to be loved and we have got Mushtaq working with us a little bit, who is anything but a technical coach, to preach the love of the game and use of the imagination.”

“People forget Monty is the sixth-best left-arm spinner of all time for England but he is being beaten up as if he wasn’t.

“You don’t get as many international wickets as him without being a good bowler.”

With Northampton's tracks becoming more helpful to seamers, Panesar could gain confidence from the notoriously spin-friendly surfaces at Hove. Sussex's faith is further emphasised by the length of the deal offered to him.

“Every signing comes with a risk but we back our environment to get the best out of him,” Robinson reflected. “Any sportsman responds to a workplace where you feel valued and we feel we can give Monty that belief again.”

Twenty20 Cup champions Sussex appear well stocked for slow bowlers with Will Beer, Ollie Rayner, Rory Hamilton-Brown and captain Mike Yardy all viable options.

But Robinson said: “What we haven’t got is a frontline spinner and Monty fits the bill.

“We want people who can change the course of a game - and people who can spin the ball hard and away from the bat probably fit into that category.

Spin was a major factor in Sussex's Twenty20 success, and Panesar adds penetration to a squad containing Will Beer, right

“Monty can come on when a game is going nowhere and, by the strength of his skill, completely change its complexion.”

Despite a two-trophy campaign in 2009 - they also won the NatWest Pro40 title - Sussex were relegated in the championship and Robinson views Panesar’s potential productivity as a crucial ingredient for a swift return to the top flight.

“One of the reasons we went down is because we couldn’t get enough wickets,” said Robinson.

“To sign people who take wickets is hard but we believe we have signed one. “Now Monty must come and perform. He’s a dangerous cricketer with a point to prove and I sense he is hungry.”

Panesar, currently playing for Highveld Lions in South African domestic cricket, said: “I am extremely grateful to Northamptonshire for all their support in my career so far and also for allowing me to make this move.

“I know Michael Yardy well from rooming with him on tour, so I am really looking forward to working under his captaincy and with the coaching staff at Hove to help the club reclaim its Division One status and maintain its premier position in the shorter forms of the game.

“Success in this new challenge with Sussex can only improve my chances of reclaiming my place in the England standings, which is the pinnacle for any player.”