The former England spinner Monty Panesar has fired up his teammates, saying the side will win the Ashes in Australia for the first time in 15 years if they take the opening Test in Perth.
Panesar, who toured with England back in 2006‑07 and 2013‑14, believes the current squad is far stronger than those earlier tours that ended in a 5‑0 whitewash.
He told SENWA Breakfast that Australia has not lost a home Test to England since 2011, but their injury list looks shaky. “We’ve lost Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood,” Panesar said. “Their opener is a David Warner replacement, and we don’t know how he’ll perform.”
Panesar added that Usman Khawaja’s recent form doesn’t inspire confidence. “If England win the first match they can win the series,” he said.
In terms of bowling battles, Australia’s Nathan Lyon has 562 Test wickets, but Panesar expects 22‑year‑old Shoaib Bashir to outshine him. “Bashir could be the difference in Brisbane, Adelaide might stay with Australia, but Melbourne and Sydney could swing on spin,” Panesar explained. He predicted an England lead of about 3‑1 or 3‑2 once the series begins.
The first Ashes Test kicks off in Perth this Friday, and every eye is on whether Ben Stokes and his teammates can turn the tide.
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