Northants boss Ripley pleased with Panesar but Essex clash comes too soon

Monty Panesar was in action for Northants' second team this week (picture: Twitter (@sando567))

Panesar registered figures of one for 47 from 15 overs during the first innings of the Northants second team’s clash with Leicestershire at the County Ground.

He has been working his way back to fitness since undergoing shoulder surgery and has recently had an injection to speed things up.

But Panesar, who turns 34 on Monday, will not be in the Northants team that faces Essex in the County Championship Division One clash that begins this weekend.

Monty Panesar faced Leicestershire's second team (picture: Twitter (@AlexWakely1))

“He was alright,” said Ripley of Panesar’s first bowling spell since rejoining Northants. “He got through around 15 overs, picked up a wicket and for a first game back it was alright.

“It was hit first outing so I guess the shoulder (recovery) has been a bit slower than expected and he’s had an injection to help it on its way.

“He’s getting there, but he won’t be involved this weekend. It’s too early.”

Northants handed an appearance to opening batsman Sean Terry in the second-team clash with Leicestershire.

And the 24-year-old trialist, who cut short his stay at Hampshire at the end of last season in a bid to get regular playing time, responded by hitting a ton.

“He’s a free agent at the moment so he’s just trialing for us,” Ripley said.

“It’s been a good trial as he got a hundred opening the batting.”