Watch Monty flourish, says retiring RMJ (From The Argus)

Watch Monty flourish, says retiring RMJ

2:50pm Monday 12th July 2010 in Cricket News By Bruce Talbot

Robin Martin-Jenkins bowed out of first-class cricket by predicting that Monty Panesar could spin Sussex to promotion.

The 34-year-old all-rounder scored a crucial 78 in the win over Gloucestershire at Arundel last week that took Sussex back to the top of the second division.

It was, however, Panesar’s eight-wicket haul that eventually made the difference in Sussex’s eight-wicket win.

After taking 3-70 in the first innings the left-arm spinner snaffled his first five-wicket haul since 2008 in the second, finishing with 5-44.

Martin-Jenkins, pictured below, said: “I hope that performance does his confidence the power of good, it should do.

“The pitch helped him but he bowled beautifully. Their left-arm spinner Vikram Banerjee did well but Monty outbowled him comfortably and that is a great prospect for the rest of the season.

“If he continues to bowl like that he will help us win a lot of games and hopefully take us to promotion. I just hope he doesn’t bowl too well and get back into the England team.”

Panesar was playing first-team cricket for the first time in a month. In the meantime he has worked extensively on all the components of his bowling and playing for the seconds and Bexhill in the Sussex League.

“I think the break he has had in Championship cricket has done him good,” added Martin-Jenkins. “It has enabled him to work hard in the nets and find his rhythm.”

Panesar is a popular team-mate even though Martin-Jenkins admits that some of his theories on cricket and life in general are “a bit left-field.”

“He is a great character,” said Martin-Jenkins. “He has some interesting ideas but he is a bubbly bloke and always has a contribution to make.

“During my Sussex career welcoming new people into the team and making them comfortable in our environment is something we have prided ourselves on and he has fitted in beautifully.”

Martin-Jenkins is due to make his final appearance in next Monday’s CB40 game at Hove against Worcestershire Royals, although with Luke Wright and Mike Yardy available there is no guarantee he will be selected.

So if Arundel last week was his Sussex swansong it was not a bad way to bow out.

“It was a bit emotional when I walked off but I was concentrating on helping us win so retirement probably won’t sink in until next week,” he said.

“If it was my last game it was a nice way to finish, making a contribution and helping the team get an important win at one of the nicest grounds in the country.”