Essex have completed the signing of England spinner Monty Panesar until the end of the season.

The 31-year-old is joining the club on loan from Sussex and is available for selection for the Colchester Cricket Festival which starts at Castle Park, tomorrow, when Essex host Northants in the LV County Championship Division Two.

Head coach Paul Grayson, who has also signed Gautam Gambhir, said: “We are delighted to welcome Monty to the Club for the remainder of the season. He is a world-class spinner and we are confident that he will have a positive impact on the team.

“He will join us from today and will hopefully be playing tomorrow at 11am against Northants.”