Monty Panesar has been hailed for his professionalism.

Just over a year after playing for England against Australia in the Ashes, Panesar found himself turning out for Bexhill in the Sussex League.

With Bexhill bottom of the premier league without a win this season it may have been seen as another kick in the teeth for a player who has lost his England place and is trying to rebuild his career with Sussex.

But the 28-year-old threw himself into the challenge of getting some game time while Sussex are in the middle of a run of Twenty20 games.

He took 4-60 in his first match against Eastbourne and followed that up with 6-31 against Three Bridges last weekend.

Bexhill, who were promoted last season, were unable to win either match but cricket manager Hamish Russell insists the popular off-spinner has had a hugely positive impact on the team.

Russell said: “Points wise we haven’t won a game while we have had him but that is no reflection on him whatsoever. He has taken ten wickets in the two matches he has played and has been phenomenal.

“He has bonded well with the side and really got on with everybody. He has swapped numbers and enjoys a laugh and a joke. Bexhill is a club he loves playing for.

“It would be easy for a contracted professional to turn up under orders from their county and not really be interested but that is not the case at all.

“He has conducted himself really well and has been the consummate professional.”

While Panesar has been one of England’s leading spinners since making his Test debut in 2006 his batting and fielding has not always matched up to the expectations of a modern day cricketer.

Panesar has worked extremely hard to improve both those areas of his game and Russell says the Sussex man’s fielding has inspired his Bexhill team-mates.

He said: “The difference he has made for us in the field has been phenomenal.

“We have talked about being positive and vocal in the field for quite a long time. From the moment Monty turned up everybody seems to have heeded the message.”