McGrath: Monty 'soft' for seeing psychologist
Monty is 'soft' for seeing a psychologist to help him in Australia, McGrath claims
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Wednesday, 04, Oct 2006 09:09
Outspoken Australian fast bowler Glenn McGrath has labelled England spinner Monty Panesar "soft" for visiting a sports psychologist ahead of the Ashes series this winter.
Panesar has sought professional help from the England team's dedicated psychologist Steve Bull to help him combat the expected barrage of abuse he will receive from the notoriously hostile crowds down under.
Having had a successful summer with the ball, producing some of his best displays wearing the Three Lions, the England spinner is still seen as a figure of fun by fans due to his hapless batting and error-strewn fielding.
And the Northamptonshire bowler also expects to receive a raucous welcome from the Australian crowds, who many believe will target the inexperienced members of the touring team, of which Panesar is one.
"If he is seeing a psychologist, yes, it is a bit soft," McGrath said in an interview with Australian radio station 2KY. "When we go to England we cop a hard time [but] we don't see a psychologist beforehand. It's just the way it is.
"If he's seeing a psychologist already then I think it's a bit premature and a bit ridiculous."
McGrath is widely regarded as the chief antagonist on the Australian test team.
He predicted a 5-0 series whitewash in last year's Ashes contest and is usually at the forefront of the war of words that traditionally pre-empts any meeting between the English and Australian cricket teams.