In Perth, Australia’s stand-in captain Steve Smith reacted sharply to comments made by former England spinner Monty Panesar as the countdown to the first Ashes Test takes an unexpected turn, reports BritPanorama.
Panesar, who last played international cricket in 2013, suggested in an interview with a betting website that England players could attempt to unsettle Smith by referencing the 2018 ball-tampering scandal that resulted in Smith losing the national captaincy.
He argued that verbally pressuring the Australian captain might give England a competitive advantage. Smith, set to lead Australia in place of the injured Pat Cummins, was asked for his thoughts ahead of the opener at Perth Stadium.
Choosing humour over confrontation, Smith referred to Panesar’s appearance on BBC Mastermind in 2019, which drew significant attention for its missteps. “I’m going to go off topic for a second here,” Smith said to reporters. “Who in the room has seen Mastermind and Monty Panesar on that? Any of you?”
Smith noted that those familiar with the episode would understand the context, while others should “do yourself a favour, because it’s pretty comical.” He added, “Anyone who believes Athens is in Germany, or Oliver Twist is a season of the year, or America is a city, doesn’t really bother me with those comments. That’s as far as I’ll go with that one.”
This response seemed to put an end to any suggestion of verbal sparring evolving into a psychological subplot for the series. While Panesar had encouraged England to “put pressure” on Smith regarding his past, the Australian captain’s remarks indicated a disinterest in engaging with this tactic.
Earlier in the press conference, Smith confirmed Australia’s final XI for the first Test. Jake Weatherald will make his debut as an opening batsman, and seamer Brendan Doggett is also set to earn his first cap, while all-rounder Beau Webster misses out. Smith, one of Australia’s most prolific batters since returning from his 12-month suspension in 2019, will lead a side without Cummins and fellow pacer Josh Hazlewood, both of whom are recovering from injuries.
England is expected to finalize their line-up closer to match time as the long-anticipated series kicks off on Friday morning local time, with anticipation building among travelling supporters and an intense contest expected on and off the field.
The last Ashes series in 2023 ended in a draw, allowing Australia to retain the urn. England’s most recent victory on Australian soil was during the 2010/2011 series, when Andrew Strauss was captain.
As the Ashes unfold, the echoes of past dramas find their way onto the pitch; the allure is in the dance of contenders and the shadows of previous encounters. In a sport where history wafts through the air, every ball bowled carries with it not just runs but a rich tapestry of stories that make cricket truly captivating.
