Monty Panesar has apologised for letting down Sussex and vowed to earn England selection for this winter's Ashes tour after being released from his county contract following an incident at a Brighton nightclub.

The 31-year-old England spinner was fined by police for urinating on bouncers after he was thrown out of the Shooshh club on August 5.

Sussex announced they would investigate the matter and have now confirmed that the left-arm spinner has played his last match for them.

Panesar, who is expected to play for former club Northamptonshire for the remainder of the season, released a statement in which he said: ''I apologise for letting the club, my colleagues and my fans down.

''I am determined to do whatever it takes to gain selection for England this winter. I want to become the best I can be.''

Panesar, whose wife Gursharan Rattan recently filed for divorce according to reports, added in the statement: ''I am grateful to Sussex for allowing me to be released from my contract for 2014 and 2015 in order to explore other opportunities to further develop my cricket. I want to give myself the best chance of playing all forms of the game at the highest level.

''I would like to thank Sussex for the opportunities, experiences and support I have enjoyed at the club since 2010, and my gratitude for the contribution Sussex have made in providing me with a platform to gain selection for England on three successive winter tours.

''I have endured a challenging time this year offthe field and my frustrations have sometimes got the better of me professionally.''