On the Willow Talk Podcast with Alyssa Healy and Adam Peacock, Brad Haddin strongly defended Steve Smith after Monty Panesar suggested that England should target Smith by bringing up the Sandpapergate scandal during the 2025 Ashes. Panesar recently claimed that revisiting the 2018 incident could unsettle Smudge and get into his head, but Haddin dismissed the idea as tired and unimaginative.
Haddin said Panesar’s comments show that England must be running out of ideas if this is their proposed strategy against one of the best Test batters of the modern era. He argued that Smith has already faced every level of scrutiny, rebuilt his reputation and returned to the top through sheer consistency and professionalism. According to Haddin, if England think this tactic will work, then they are the ones in trouble.
Alyssa Healy and Adam Peacock echoed the sentiment on the podcast, pointing out that Smith has proven for years that outside noise cannot shake him. His record since returning from his ban speaks louder than any attempted mind games, and revisiting 2018 adds nothing new to the contest.
Haddin made it clear that dragging up Sandpapergate is not clever Ashes psychology but simply lazy commentary. With the 2025 series approaching, he believes England would be better served focusing on their bowling plans rather than recycling an old controversy that no longer affects Smith.
Full Clip: Instagram.com/WillowTalkPodcast
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