Monty Panesar, a former England cricket player, has addressed recent remarks made by Australian captain Steve Smith in anticipation of the upcoming Ashes series. The two had a verbal exchange prior to the First Test in Perth, where England suffered a swift defeat within two days.
Following their loss at Optus Stadium, Ben Stokes and the English team have moved on to Brisbane for the Second Test at The Gabba. Panesar had suggested that England should leverage the 2018 ball-tampering scandal to unsettle Australia and gain an edge before the series began.
Smith, in response to Panesar’s comments, brought up Panesar’s appearance on BBC’s Celebrity Mastermind in 2019 during a press conference. The Australian captain hinted at Panesar’s performance on the show, highlighting some humorous misconceptions in his answers.
Panesar, in turn, has now reacted to Smith’s references, indicating a continuing exchange between the former England player and the Australian leader. Panesar expressed amusement at Smith’s awareness of his Mastermind responses and suggested that it was satisfying to influence the Australian team from a sofa perspective.
Reflecting on the banter, Panesar mentioned the lack of media attention to his sandpaper scandal remarks and contemplated the possible psychological impact it could have on the Australian team, particularly on Smith’s performance at the crease.
Panesar also recognized Smith’s cricketing prowess and strategic acumen, praising his captaincy decisions, including promoting Travis Head in the batting order. The former spinner emphasized the importance of England capitalizing on potential mental advantages against Australia, with a question mark over whether Stokes would pursue that route.
The dialogue between Panesar and Smith continues to unfold, shaping the narrative leading up to the second Ashes Test. Panesar’s insights were shared during an interview with BOYLE Sports, a platform offering cricket betting odds, ahead of the upcoming Test match.
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