Sport Forward: Panesar holds talks with SA team

Panesar sat out most of the English Ashes summer

Spinner Monty Panesar is in talks with South African franchise the Highveld Lions over a possible temporary move.

The 27-year-old, who has taken 126 wickets in 39 Tests, wants to reignite his international career after England cancelled his central contract.

The left-arm bowler fell behind fellow spinners Graeme Swann and Adil Rashid in the pecking order over the summer.

"We're talking to Monty," said Lions coach Dave Nosworthy. "Hopefully we'll finalise things in the next few days."

Panesar has a point to prove to the England selectors after he was dropped following the first Ashes Test of the summer against Australia, despite his batting heroics when he helped to secure a draw at Cardiff.

He has not played for the national side since, and even found himself out of the Northants side for their crucial final Championship match of the season.

England will be touring South Africa later this year and an impressive spell at the Lions in first-class cricket could conceivably boost hopes of a recall.