MONTY PANESAR wants to use his international experience with England to try to turn the Highveld Lions into a winning team.

The slow left-armer is to make his bow in the South African domestic season today when he turns out for his new franchise against the Warriors in their first-class SuperSport Series match at East London.

Panesar joined the Johannesburg- based team earlier this month after he dropped down the England pecking order behind Graeme Swann and Adil Rashid and also lost his central contract with the England and Wales Cricket Board last month.

Now he is determined to repay the faith shown in him by the Lions coach Dave Nosworthy, but the 27-year-old knows it will not be easy.

“My biggest challenge will be to adapt to the conditions and the way the Lions play, but I am delighted that Dave put his confidence in me,” he said.

“I am very excited about the opportunity of testing myself at the Lions.

“Hopefully, my international experience can mean something to the younger players.”

The Wanderers team last won the four-day competition ten years ago and Panesar is hoping to end their wait for silverware, adding: “I’m hoping to take a lot of wickets and want to help make the Lions a winning team.”

Panesar, who has 126 Test wickets to his name, took 18 wickets for Northants in the LV County Championship this season at an average of 59.44.

He admits that playing in South Africa for the next few months will be different, but is keen to succeed.

He said: “It’s a great opportunity to see how I will fare in the South African conditions, as it differs significantly from what I am used to in England.

“I was here in January with the British Universities team to prepare for the tour of the West Indies. I immediately liked it and wanted to come and play here.”

Kent, meanwhile, have confirmed they will not sign outof- contract seamer Matthew Hoggard.

The newly-promoted county had been in contact with the former England rightarmer about a possible move after he was released by Yorkshire last week.

The 32-year-old has already been offered a three-year deal by Leicestershire after meeting club officials on Monday.

Worcestershire have also indicated they would be keen to speak with Hoggard, who played 67 Tests for England, but Kent head coach Paul Farbrace confirmed his club would take their interest no further.

“We didn’t go too far down that road in the end, but we have been talking to a few players already about next season and are weighing up our options,” he said.

“I think it’s highly unlikely we will get someone for the whole season, because of IPL commitments and the World Twenty 20 championships, but nobody is jumping off the page at moment.”