Former England bowler Monty Panesar has joked that playing village cricket next season could reignite his international career.
The left-arm spinner announced a move to Norfolk side Greater Whittingham in the East Anglia Premier League last year.
The club also signed Nottinghamshire CCC's Olly Stone and Adelaide Strikers batsman Jake Weatherald.
“It's going to be exciting,” Panesar said.
“If possible, I would like the groundsman to create a turnstile for turning.
“When I do speaking engagements around the country, people always ask me, ‘Where is Great Whittingham?’ and I tell them it’s near Norwich. It will put the club on the map.
“There are some very big contracts and they want to make it a big success.
“If I have a really good season, maybe I can go back to the professional game. We don't have many spinners in the first-class arena. If James Anderson can play Test cricket, why Monty Panesar can play Test cricket? You know why you can't play cricket.'' Are you 41 years old? ”
Panesar has taken 167 wickets in 50 career Tests but has not played professionally since leaving Northamptonshire in 2016. He was part of the England team that won the Ashes in 2009.
Talk of Panesar returning to England may be a bit of a joke, but for 30-year-old Olly Stone there is a real desire to return to the national team.
Norwich-born Stone has played three Test matches in an injury-plagued career so far and has not played internationally since the one-day international against South Africa in January last year. His first Test match appearance will be against New Zealand in the summer of 2021. .
“I still want to play for England,” he said.
“I had a frustrating season last year with my hamstring. They told me to put together a few games, which I understand.
“If I can do that, the door will never close. If I don't play another game, I'm lucky to have played for England in all three formats, but I've never closed the door. , working hard to get back 'in that England shirt. ”
Playing for Great Whittingham, even if it's just the odd match, will be a homecoming of sorts for Stone, whose cricketing journey began in Norfolk.
“I still go home often,” he explained.
“Witchingham have helped me a lot with my training during Covid-19 and they've been very kind to me, so it's easy for me to go back and give back and say thank you to them.”
The club is aiming to win its first EAPL title.
“It helps the club get better, it helps develop the young players in the second and third teams, it helps the club move forward, and it also gets a few people to come and watch the games. There’s nothing like playing in front of a crowd. There’s nothing great about it,’” Stone added.
Stone's fastest ball speeds could reach 94 mph (151 km/h). If the East Anglia Premier League batsman is padding away in the dressing room at Walshys Park, don't forget his thigh pads and elbow guards.
