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Monty threat to Rayner future
Sussex all-rounder Ollie Rayner admitted he has been forced to seriously consider whether he wants to stay with the county since the signing of former England bowler Monty Panesar.
Rayner, who now faces a struggle for his first team place, is determined not to compromise his cricketing career, but he has no choice other than to compete with Panesar as his contract with Sussex ties him down for another two years.
The 24-year-old told Herald Sport, "I cannot discount moving to another team. I have to do what is best for me and I'll be silly to discard an opportunity.
"Monty is coming to re-ignite his career, so I don't think I will be looking to learn anything from him and we will definitely be competing with each other.
"Sussex will only favour me to Panesar in one-day cricket, but my goal is to play in all competitions, and I'm not sure if that will be available to me here.
"The problem is that I have two years left on my contract, so I might just have to bite the bullet and see what Sussex have in mind for me or whether they will let me go," added Rayner.
"I'm a determined person, if I get pushed one step back, I'm going to move two steps forward. I'm also training very hard for myself and my own fitness at the moment, so I know I haven't left anything out that will have an outcome on my future.
"I don't really want to leave Sussex. Places are narrowing for spinners in teams, but more importantly, I want to be loyal to my team."
Meanwhile, veteran Eastbourne seamer James Kirtley believes that Panesar will be a major coup.
He said, "I'm sure Monty will be hungry to regain his place for England and that can only be good for Sussex. Ollie Rayner and Will Beer might not agree, but that is the challenge of pro sport.
"Monty is an experienced spinner, but there is no reason why it should hinder the development of younger players. There are times we can play with two spinners."
"Also, with Luke Wright away more on England duty, the chance is there for Ollie and Will to go for the all-rounder spot. They can both bat and that's a challenge that should appeal to them."
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Sunday 27 May 2012
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