Uneasy, unnerved, un-Smith - Australian great falters in Ashes spotlight

In the lead-up to the first Test, Steve Smith responded to remarks by Monty Panesar regarding the 'Sandpapergate' scandal, igniting a media spat. This out-of-character behavior continued as Smith struggled during his innings, displaying a high false shot percentage. Despite his typically strong performance record, Smith seemed unsettled and uncomfortable, reflecting a departure from his usual composure on the field.