Monty Panesar is hoping a change of county will help his chances of gaining selection for England's Ashes tour to Australia later in the year.

The 31-year-old left-arm spinner made his debut for Essex against his old club, Northamptonshire, on Tuesday, a day after being released by Sussex following a police fine for urinating in public.

Panesar has been left out of England's squad for the fifth and final Ashes Test against Australia that started on Wednesday but is desperate to return as Graeme Swann's backup for the return series.