‘Nobody thinks of divorce when they get married, of course, but it only lasted 12 months and didn't work for whatever reason. It's ridiculous that people have said I've been beating myself up ever since.'
Life has not been smooth, however, even since the night of angry bouncers and pizza bar armlocks. On Friday, Panesar received a suspended one-match ban from the County Championship after accepting a misconduct charge from the ECB after he was found guilty of twice being involved in incidents where his actions were deemed ‘potentially threatening and intimidating to a member of the opposition', having kicked out in frustration in the direction of Worcestershire batsman Ross Whitely.
‘I wouldn't say I was either threatening or intimidating but I will admit to becoming incredibly frustrated because I was having no luck at all, with inside edges and catches falling just short,' says Panesar.
‘I have to be aggressive when I bowl but it was a minor incident that I accept. The ECB and I have spoken about it and I must be mindful of my behaviour, but it's not seen as a problem by England.
‘At least it shows my passion is back, I suppose. I know there's a chance I might not get a Test match in Australia but I am determined to be eager, positive, supportive and ready if a chance comes my way. I'm hoping I can be involved in a fourth consecutive Ashes victory and I'm very confident I will be, even if it's as a squad member.'
