Monty Panesar believes his recent comments may have unsettled Steve Smith after the Australia captain made a scratchy start to the Ashes in Perth.
Smith was dismissed for 17 by Brydon Carse as Australia attempted to respond to England’s modest first-innings 172, and Panesar has suggested England sensed he was “rattled”.
The Australia star looked uncomfortable during his innings, playing and missing repeatedly, attempting risky drives, and being struck on the elbow and hand before edging a delivery that moved away, with Harry Brook taking a sharp catch.
Panesar told the Daily Mail that the innings was unlike the Australian’s usual composed batting.
“He was really all over the place, to be honest,” he said.
“He didn’t bat like we’ve seen him bat. He played and missed so many times.”
The discussion follows an exchange between Smith and Panesar ahead of the Test, sparked when the England icon suggested the Three Lions might try to make the veteran “feel guilty” about his role in the 2018 ball-tampering scandal.
Monty Panesar struggled during his appearance on BBC Mastermind | BBC
Asked about those remarks, Smith responded by referring to Panesar’s famously awkward appearance on BBC’s Mastermind, which went viral in 2019.
Panesar later replied: “We’ve both made mistakes. I made mine on a quiz show, he made his on a cricket field.”
The former England star now believes the subject might have lingered when Smith arrived at the crease.
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“There could be that possibility where the England players have said a few things, or the way you look at someone with that body language,” he said.
“You can think, has it got to him? Because he really wasn’t himself today.”
The former England spinner praised England’s fast bowlers for exploiting the moment, as Ben Stokes’ side reduced Australia to 123–9 by stumps.
“They must have targeted him,” Panesar said.
“He possibly feels a little bit sensitive about the subject and it’s worked in England’s favour. They’ve been absolutely brilliant today. They really rose to the occasion.”
Panesar, who won 50 Test caps and last toured Australia in 2013–14, believes Smith could face a tough series if England maintain the same level of hostility.
Steve Smith managed just 17 runs as Australia struggled to cope with England’s attack on day one of the Ashes
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PA
“If they can replicate that, he could have a challenging time during the Ashes,” he said.
Asked if he expects to encounter Smith during the series, Panesar – currently watching the opening Test from Sydney – chose to keep the exchange light-hearted.
“Who knows, I may bump into him,” he said.
“It’ll be a lot of fun and games if I do meet him.”
