`Disgraced` Panesar omitted from England Lions squad against Oz

London: Disgraced England spinner Monty Panesar has reportedly been omitted from the England Lions squad to face Australia in a two-day match at Northampton this weekend following his urinating on two nightclub bouncers last week.

According to the Guardian, Panesar, who was fined for his drunken actions, had missed out on selection for the third Test at Old Trafford having been called into the squad for the first time this summer. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) confirmed Panesar`s omission, with the report saying that this may have removed any chance of the Sussex player being recalled to the senior squad before the fifth Ashes Test at The Oval as Sussex still has to complete their investigation into the incident. Therefore, the report added, young Lancashire left-armer Simon Kerrigan will have the chance to make an impression against Australia and possibly overtake Panesar in the pecking order behind Graeme Swann before the return Ashes series this winter. Even though Panesar played in six of England`s seven Tests last winter, the report mentioned that the ECB would not consider him for selection unless he is contracted with and playing regularly for a county. Australia was due to play Northamptonshire in their only game between the fourth and fifth Tests but the Lions have been pressed into action by the county`s unexpected progress to Twenty20 finals day at Edgbaston on Saturday, the report added. ANI