Monty Panesar to join Campbelltown-Camden Ghosts

THE 2006 British Beard Liberation Front’s ‘beard of the year’ winner and two-time Ashes winner Monty Panesar will be playing Sydney Grade Cricket next season.

Nice beard. Monty Panesar. Picture: Philip Blatch

CRICKETING royalty will grace the Raby Sports Complex this coming season with highly esteemed English spinner Monty Panesar joining the Campbelltown-Camden Ghosts.

Two-time Ashes winner and 2006 winner of the British Beard Liberation Front’s ‘beard of the year’, Panesar has taken 709 first class wickets across his 15-year career.

The 34-year-old left arm spinner, who has played 50 tests for England, will join the first grade line-up. He will also become the club spin coach, under-21 coach and under-16 coach.

British Beard Liberation Front’s 2006 ‘beard of the year’ winner Monty Panesar rolls his arm over. Picture: Damian Shaw

Panesar will still be playing for his English club Northamptonshire when the season kicks off next month and so he is expected to join the Ghosts in early October.

Club secretary Jason Ellsmore said everyone at the Ghosts was incredibly excited to welcome the big-name cricketer to the team.

“It’s very safe to say he’s the highest profile player at our club in at least the last 20 years,” he said.

Monty Panesar even had a baby Greyhead Bat named after him. Monty is pictured second from the left. at RSPCA Wacol. But its beard is not as impressive. Picture: Richard Walker

“His presence is sure to generate a lot of interest and hopefully he can win us a few games.”

Mr Ellsmore said he was expecting much larger crowds this season with locals ducking down to see Panesar play.

“I think him playing will give this year’s bowling attack​ great credibility in the Sydney Competition.”