After reaching the pinnacle of his career while playing international cricket for England’s Cricket team, Mudhsuden Singh Panesar aka ‘Monty Panesar’ has gone through many ups and downs in his life both professionally and personally. Despite all odds he stood strong and now is working hard in his new role as a coach.
He has settled well in Australia and has finished up with his English club Northampton shire recently and has joined the Ghosts for round three where he will remain for the entire season.
Monty is keen to utilize his time in Australia as an opportunity to revive his career and branch into other avenues. Besides playing with the Campbelltown – Camden Ghosts, Monty will also coach young players.
A left-arm spinner, Panesar made his Test debut in 2006 against India in Nagpur and one-day debut for England in 2007.
Monty says that playing for Campbelltown has been really exciting for him.
“There’s really good facilities here, you’ve got four grounds. I’ve never been to a place where there’s four grounds in the one area. Hopefully I will be able to use the facilities while I am here but also help the club,” he said.
“Everyone here has been very welcoming and hospitable. It seems very much like a close-knit family club. They have got some youngsters here and it gives me an opportunity to do a bit of coaching and mentoring as well as socializing,” adds Monty.
Monty had undergone a shoulder surgery and is still recovering full strength in his shoulder.
“While playing with Campbelltown, my aim is to get pretty fit and to get my shoulders strong. In the meantime I am experiencing coaching which I am enjoying. I am a level-2 coach and getting an opportunity to provide coaching has been a real milestone for me. It has given me an opportunity to learn about myself and to know as what is my capacity as a coach,” adds Monty.
President of Campbelltown Club, Jason Ellsmore has been a big support for Monty ever since he came to Australia.
Now 34 years old, Monty says he is open to playing in the Big Bash League while he is in Australia but his main aim is to be fully fit in time for the county season.
He is also keen to get a spot for him in the IPL and says that it would be a dream come true for him to play IPL.
It is hard to get back to routine after a break Monty feels, but he is working hard to get back to normal game before the County season.
“It is not easy to regain your fitness after a break. I had my shoulder surgery and I am working hard to regain my bowling strength. The shoulder has been coming along really well. As long as I am able to bowl, I am not in a hurry to get super fit. I have seen the physio and we are taking it slowly, so that I should be fit for the county season,” says Monty
Monty believes that there is a huge craze of cricket among the Australians.
“People love cricket here. I am amazed to see so many kids coming for coaching. Most of the cricket aspirants who come for coaching are either in 8-12 age group or 14-19years group,” adds Monty
The big-name cricketer has taken 709 first class wickets across his 15-year career.
While sharing his experience of playing against the legendary cricketer, Sachin Tendulkar, Monty says, “It was always a challenge to bowl Sachin and I was fortunate enough to get his wicket couple of times. It was a rewarding experience for me and I would rather say that getting him out helped me make a better bowler and a competitor.”
Club coach, Greame Smith says that Monty is doing well and he is recovering fast from his shoulder injury and he will be fine for next season for county cricket in England.
