Former England cricket player Monty Panesar has addressed remarks made by Australian captain Steve Smith in anticipation of the Ashes series. Panesar and Smith engaged in a verbal exchange prior to the First Test in Perth, where England suffered a swift defeat within two days.
The England team, led by Ben Stokes, faced an eight-wicket loss at the Optus Stadium and has now moved to Brisbane for the Second Test at The Gabba. Ahead of the series opener, Panesar advised England to leverage the 2018 ball-tampering scandal to unsettle Australia and gain an edge.
In response to Panesar’s comments, Smith mentioned Panesar’s participation on BBC’s Celebrity Mastermind in 2019. During a press conference, Smith humorously referenced Panesar’s performance on the show, highlighting some of Panesar’s amusing answers to quiz questions.
Panesar has now reacted to Smith’s remarks, noting that he found it surprising that Smith was aware of his quiz answers before the Test match. Panesar expressed satisfaction in being able to affect the Australian team even while not on the field. He also mentioned the lack of media coverage surrounding his previous comments on the ball-tampering incident and speculated on England’s potential psychological tactics in the upcoming matches.
Reflecting on Smith’s performance in the First Test, Panesar observed signs of nervousness in the Australian player and commented on the strategic decisions made by Smith as a captain. Panesar emphasized the importance of psychological warfare in cricket and hinted at the role Ben Stokes might play in deciding England’s approach.
Panesar’s insights were shared during an interview with BOYLE Sports, a platform offering cricket odds, ahead of the second Ashes Test match. The ongoing Ashes series, commencing on November 21, will be broadcast live on TNT Sports via discovery+ or Prime Video’s TNT Sports channel. Fans can stay updated on the latest Ashes news by signing up for the newsletter The Cricket Drop.