Cook says Panesar still has England chance post apology for 'drunken urinating' antics

Disgraced England spinner Monty Panesar has reportedly been assured that he still has a chance of being in the England team following his apology to captain Alastair Cook for his 'drunken urinating' antics which led to him being released from his contract by Sussex.

According to the Daily Express, Cook's county Essex stepped in to rescue Panesar, taking him on loan until the end of the season after his Sussex deal was cut short, with Panesar taking 1-72 in 34 overs in his first Essex game against Northampton.

However, the report added that Panesar has been left in no doubt that he needed to get himself back in order on and off the field if he is to regain his place in international cricket.

Revealing that Panesar called him to apologise for his drunken behaviour which culminated in him urinating on bouncers and being fined by police, Cook said that the apology showed that Panesar has realised that he has done wrong and let the team down, adding that he recognised that he needed to make a bit of change in his life.

Although Cook refuted the suggestion that the door has closed on Panesar's international career, he however, said that Panesar knows what he must do to get back on the team, adding that he has the quality and the class to perform and just needed to go back to basics and work hard.

Meanwhile, the England Lions beat Bangladesh A by 202 runs in the tour match at Bristol, the report added.