England Cricket: Monty Panesar Ban Indicates Troubles Far from over

Monty Panesar was given a lifeline when the selectors named him as part of the Ashes squad travelling to Australia, but his latest disciplinary issue shows that his rehabilitation is far from complete.

Andy Wilson wrote for The Guardian that the left-arm spinner has been given a one-match suspended ban in the County Championship for two incidents that took place during a match between Essex and Worcestershire. 

Wilson quotes the England and Wales Cricket Board's discipline commission as ruling that the incidents—including a kick seemingly aimed at Worcestershire batsman Ross Whitely—"were potentially threatening and intimidating towards a member of the opposition."

If the incidents were as a result of frustration, Panesar could be in for a difficult winter in Australia. The pitches Down Under require a great deal of patience from a spinner, who can often toil for days with little reward.

Take the first Test in Brisbane in 2010, for example. Graeme Swann plugged away for 43 overs in Australia's first innings, conceding 128 runs in the process. Although he picked up two wickets, it was scant reward for such arduous labour.

Can Panesar be required to hold down an end with such consistency as Swann did throughout that 2010-11 series? On the back of his recent disciplinary problems, it's very doubtful indeed.

Of course, he will go into the tour as the backup spin option behind Swann, but the unforgiving nature of an Ashes series means that an injury is never far away. Panesar could be called upon to perform a vital role and he cannot afford to slip up.

He has shown his skill at international level in the past, but his 2013 season has been one to forget: 38 wickets at 37.97 apiece doesn't scream "international recall" and the feeling persists that, with a better showing in his debut, Simon Kerrigan would be taking Panesar's place.

Ousting him in favour of a man arrested for drunkenly urinating on nightclub bouncers shows how little the board trusts Kerrigan's temperament right now.

He'll doubtless get his chance another time, but right now it's down to Panesar to hold his nerve—and, more importantly, his anger.

Panesar may be back in the England setup, but he cannot afford to show any sign of annoyance throughout the tour. Whatever his duties may be—ranging from delivering drinks and spare gloves to taking down the Aussie batsmen—the spinner must do it all with good grace and a smile.

If he makes the starting XI, the Australians will use his perceived fragility against him, as they have with many players in the past.

They'll attempt to talk him out of the game with constant remarks when he is batting and looking to get after him when he is delivering the ball.

It's up to Panesar to show he can block them out, just as he did that fateful evening in Cardiff.