Full-bladder Monty: Drunk Panesar relieves himself on bouncers

Sussex said it was investigating the incident surrounding Panesar,who was in the England squad to play Australia in the third Ashes test last week but did not make the starting side. “Sussex County Cricket Club can confirm that an incident took place involving Monty Panesar in the early hours of Monday 5th August,” it said on its website (www.sussexcricket.co.uk). “The matter is under full investigation and the club will make no further comment at this stage.”

The Incident

The incident happened at 4am on Monday,just hours before England retained the Ashes at Old Trafford by drawing the third Test for which Panesar was included in the 14-man squad but not named in the playing XI. The 31-year-old left-arm spinner had been partying at the Shooshh club on Brighton’s beachfront,which was hosting a Gay Pride event. However,when a group of women complained he was hassling them,Panesar was asked to leave,the tabloid Sun reported.

Panesar proceeded to the promenade above the club and relieved himself on the bouncers standing below. The bouncers chased after him until he was cornered in a nearby pizza parlour,where he was heard shouting “Help! Help!” Securing him in an arm-lock,the bouncers hauled him back to the club and called the authorities,the police reports concluded.

He was fined 90 pound sterling by the Sussex police. Panesar,who lives in nearby Hove,later released a statement,through his spokesperson,offering an “unreserved apology” for his behaviour. “Monty would like to apologise unreservedly for any offence caused.”

The English press was also quick to point out that this has not been the first nightclub incident to have come up during the Ashes this summer. The papers pointed out to the Joe Root-David Warner incident in the Walkabout bar in Birmingham,with the Australian batsman being suspended by Cricket Australia. Warner missed the first two Tests as a consequence. Warner had allegedly thrown a glancing punch at Root during the incident.

The Independent also added that “Photographs today (Wednesday) also showed a number of the England team on a night out following the Old Trafford Test,which ended in a draw that ensured Andy Flower’s men retained the Ashes.”