Former England cricket player Monty Panesar has reacted to statements made by Australia’s captain Steve Smith regarding the upcoming Ashes series. Panesar and Smith engaged in a verbal exchange before the First Test in Perth, which ended in a quick defeat for the visiting team.
Following their loss at the Optus Stadium, Ben Stokes and the England team have moved on to Brisbane for the Second Test at The Gabba. Prior to the series opener, Panesar advised England to leverage the 2018 ball-tampering scandal to unsettle Australia and gain an advantage.
In response to Panesar’s comments, Smith brought up Panesar’s appearance on BBC’s Celebrity Mastermind in 2019 during a press conference. He referred to Panesar’s performance on the show, highlighting some humorous answers given by the former spinner.
Panesar has now responded to Smith’s remarks, expressing surprise that Smith was aware of his Celebrity Mastermind answers before the Test match. Despite the banter, Panesar found pleasure in being able to provoke the Australians from the comfort of his sofa and wished for England’s victory in the Test match.
Reflecting on the media’s reception of his comments on the sandpaper incident, Panesar suggested that Ben Stokes could use it as a psychological advantage. He noted Smith’s preparedness for the press conference and his own decision to respond in kind.
Panesar also observed Smith’s performance in the match, emphasizing the impact of the Barmy Army’s chants on Smith’s nerves. Acknowledging Smith’s cricketing prowess and strategic acumen, Panesar highlighted the potential for England to use various tactics, including psychological warfare, against the Australians.
The ongoing feud between Panesar and Smith continues as the Ashes series progresses, with Panesar’s insights shared in an interview with BOYLE Sports ahead of the second Test match. Fans can catch all the Ashes action live on TNT Sports via discovery+ or Prime Video’s TNT Sports channel starting from November 21.
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