Former England cricket player Monty Panesar has reacted to statements made by Australia’s captain, Steve Smith, ahead of the Ashes series. Panesar and Smith had a verbal exchange before the First Test in Perth, where England faced a swift defeat within two days.
Following their loss at 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 the England team to exploit the ball-tampering scandal of 2018 to unsettle Australia and gain an edge.
In response to Panesar’s comments, Smith brought up Panesar’s appearance on BBC’s Celebrity Mastermind in 2019 during a press conference. Smith jokingly referenced Panesar’s performance on the show, highlighting some comical answers the former spinner provided.
Panesar has now addressed Smith’s remarks, expressing surprise at Smith’s knowledge of his Celebrity Mastermind appearance. Panesar found amusement in being able to provoke Australians while simply sitting on his sofa. He also mentioned the potential psychological advantage England could gain from the sandpaper incident.
Reflecting on Smith’s performance during the match, Panesar noted the impact of the Barmy Army’s chants on Smith’s nerves and batting. Despite acknowledging Smith’s greatness as a player and captain, Panesar emphasized the importance of England utilizing any possible psychological edge, leaving the decision to Ben Stokes and the team.
In his conversation with BOYLE Sports, Panesar shared insights on the ongoing banter with Smith as the rivalry intensifies between the two cricketing nations. The second Ashes Test match is on the horizon, and cricket enthusiasts can follow all the action live on TNT Sports via discovery+ or Prime Video’s TNT Sports channel.