PERTH: Australia’s stand-in captain Steve Smith has issued a sharp yet humorous response to former England spinner Monty Panesar, who recently reignited discussion around the infamous Sandpapergate scandal ahead of the opening Ashes Test.
Smith will lead Australia in the first Test in Perth after regular skipper Pat Cummins was sidelined with injury. The much-anticipated clash between England and Australia begins tomorrow at Optus Stadium, marking the start of a highly charged Ashes series.
Panesar urged England to target Smith over Sandpapergate
Earlier this month, Panesar advised England players and the British media to apply pressure on Smith by revisiting the ball-tampering controversy from 2018, when Australia were caught using sandpaper on the ball during Smith’s captaincy.
“If it were the opposite, the Australian media would be all over it,” Panesar had said.
“If it was any of the English players, they would have said, ‘the cheaters have arrived.’”
Smith hits back with “Mastermind” dig
Responding to the comments during a pre-Ashes press conference, Smith referenced Panesar’s widely mocked appearance on the TV quiz show Celebrity Mastermind, where the former spinner stumbled over basic general-knowledge questions.
“Who here has seen Mastermind, and Monty Panesar on that?” Smith asked reporters.
“If you haven’t, do yourself a favour — it’s pretty comical. Anyone who thinks Athens is in Germany, or that Oliver Twist is a season, or that America is a city… well, you get the idea.”
Delivered in a light-hearted tone, Smith’s remark drew laughter in the room.
“Doesn’t really bother me” — Smith unfazed by criticism
Despite the pointed jab, Smith insisted Panesar’s comments carried no weight and said he feels calm stepping back into the leadership role.
“It doesn’t really bother me, those comments. That’s as far as I’ll go with that,” Smith said.
“I’m pretty chilled. I’m a lot more relaxed these days.”
Smith’s composed response sets the tone as Australia prepare to face their oldest rivals in what promises to be a fiery opening Test.
