Monty Panesar has represented England in 50 Tests © Getty Images
England spinner Monty Panesar has been released by Essex after a two-year stint at the club. Panesar originally joined Essex on loan, but his move from Sussex was made permanent the following season. Panesar has made 50 Test appearances for England but made just a couple of First-Class appearances. Other players like all-rounder Greg Smith, fast bowler Matt Salisbury and wicketkeeper Saf Imtiaz have also been released from the County club. Panesar, wh opicked up his 700th wicket in First-Class cricket in a match against Surrey in August this year, has not played a Test for England since December 2013. He made his last appearance against Australia at Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). READ: Monty Panesar, James Anderson thwart time to secure draw vs Australia at Cardiff
He was initially not available for selection for Essex because of many off-field issues. Panesar has been involved in a few controversies in his career before. He has already been summoned on multiple occasions on disciplinary grounds. One of the more famous one was during his stint at Sussex, where he urinated on a bouncer outside a club in brighton, according to bbc.com. READ: Monty Panesar and cricket’s ‘moral’ hypocrisy
Panesar began his career with Nottinghamshire in the year 2001 and made his Test debut at Nagpur against India in 2006. he has picked up 167 wickets in Tests and 24 wickets in his 26 One-Day International (ODI) appearances so far. Panesar will now look for his fourth club after having represented after having represented Essex, Nottinghamshire and Sussex so far.