One of England’s successful left-arm spinner after Ashley Giles in International cricket, Monty Panesar said he miss being on the field and that he often gets itchy to play for England again.
The British nationalist Panesar served as the bowling consultant to domestic players in Campbelltown, Australia lately, and now speaking from Brisbane, he said, he loved the job he was offered and was also of quite a help to the budding spinners down under.
He said,
“I’ve really enjoyed it. I’ve done the age-groups at Campbelltown, with the responsibility to run net sessions with a group and one-on-one stuff. And then the chance to work with elite cricketers came up.”
Panesar, who in the past went through some personal mental problems said he is in good shape now, thanks to recipes such as yoga, mindfulness and a bit of hypnotherapy, which eventually helped him recover and take the field all over again. He further added the medication has also pulled him out of the trouble and regain calmness in his mindset.
“We’ve all worked together to create activities which will substitute the medication,” he says. “Stuff like yoga, mindfulness, fitness, a bit of hypnotherapy. And now I feel really great in that regard. Sometimes it’s just as simple as going away and doing a physical activity, or going and having a conversation with a person you trust. The medication is good for a while but I don’t think long term it’s a good thing – it makes you a bit more down like you’re in a box. You don’t feel yourself.”
The 35-year-old Panesar, who has 28 scalps to his name against India in three successive tours, missed out this time around when England was thrashed 4-0 by India in the five-match Test series. Talking about watching the matches from home, Panesar said it’s not a good feeling at all and it makes him feel sad.
He then admitted he wants to play for England again.
“I watched bits, but there were times when I couldn’t even watch. Part of me wanted to be there. And then I’d think: ‘Man, I’ve missed out on such a valuable opportunity because I couldn’t get myself fit.’ Another tour missed. That makes you a bit sad, and then you think: ‘I’m switching it off, not watching’. It’s out of my hands.”
“I don’t know what it is. It’s like I’m taking a drug for it. Some days my body aches and hurts, and I still get up and go to the gym in the hope of getting back. It’s just in me. I’ve got to do it, I just want to play for England again. I will keep going until … I don’t know … Until I can’t do anymore. I will keep fighting to get there”,
he concluded.
Panesar last played an international match against Australia in Melbourne in December 2013.