Former England national cricket team spinner Monty Panesar has hit back at Australia national cricket team batting superstar Steve Smith’s brutal taunt ahead of the Ashes.
In a sharp comment, Monty Panesar said that both he and Steve Smith made mistakes, but he made mistakes on the mastermind show, while the modern Australian great did so on the cricket field.
I think it’s still in his mind, 100 percent – Monty Panesar
The Ashes 2025-26 is scheduled to begin on November 21 in Perth and even before the start of the series, a heated exchange has started between former and current cricketers.
A notable spat has emerged between Australia’s stand-in captain Steve Smith and former England spinner Monty Panesar.
Notably, a few days ago, Panesar had urged the British to be ruthless and target Steve Smith to make him feel “guilty” by reminding him of the sandpaper-gate ball-tampering scandal.
Smith responded to Panesar’s comments in the pre-match press conference, where he called it “off topic” to ruthlessly troll Monty Panesar over his failed appearance on Celebrity Mastermind.
Speaking to the PA news agency the former England spinner immediately responded to Steve Smith, saying:
“It’s interesting. I think it’s still in his mind, 100 percent. I find it so funny that he’s memorized the questions and answers.”
The best way to deviate from this is to say something completely funny – Monty Panesar
Panesar said Smith tried to downplay his comments by taking a humorous approach, but deep down he was still haunted by the ugly ball-tampering incident, which the English players should mention when slagging at him. He said:
“The best way to deviate from that is to say something that is completely fun, humorous, that I did on the show and it will carry everything forward.
“If I was in the England team now, I’d be thinking ‘Monty’s given us a piece of ammunition we can use on Steve Smith’.”
He said, “What I’m trying to do is help the England team – this is your opportunity; you’re in Perth, no Pat Cummins or Josh Hazlewood. If you’ve got the courage and you think it’s a good idea, tell him that.”
Say ‘Monty’s on your mind, friend’ – Monty Panesar
Panesar further urged the Ben Stokes-led team to get into Steve Smith’s mind by mentioning his name in the middle to make him uncomfortable. He elaborated:
“Say ‘Monty’s in your mind, mate, you’ve got the No. 11 batsman in your mind, are you going to bat like him today?’
“It’s important to make him uncomfortable. Ashes cricket is about scoring per centre, can the England team gain one per cent by taking Steve Smith out.”
“Is this a one-percenter where England can sledge him and all the boys will get into him, make him uncomfortable for the first 10 to 20 balls, he won’t be able to move and get out? (If that happens), England will be thinking we need to do this every time.”
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