On the eve of the Ashes 2025-26 series, a war of words between former England spinner Monty Panesar and Australia captain Steve Smith has made immense headlines. What began as a passing comment from Panesar quickly escalated after Smith delivered a theatrical response, one that triggered memories of Sandpapergate.
The incident came when Panesar, speaking ahead of the series, urged England’s players to mentally target Smith using his past, specifically the infamous 2018 ball-tampering scandal. He suggested
that Ben Stokes’ men should 'make Steve Smith feel guilty' and question the ethics of his captaincy.
However, during the press conference, Smith appeared to have asked a question to set up his response. The Australian captain, given the responsibility for the Perth Test with Pat Cummins unavailable, used the moment to take a dig at Panesar by referencing his viral appearance on the quiz show Mastermind. Smith joked about Panesar’s incorrect answers, from calling Athens a part of Germany to describing Oliver Twist as a season. However, Panesar did not hold back in his reply.
"We've both made mistakes. I made mine on a quiz show, he made his on a cricket field. It’s an interesting one. I think it’s still in his head, 100 per cent. I find it so funny that he’s memorised the questions and answers. The best way to deviate from it is say something completely funny, comical, what I did on the show and it will move everything on. “If I was in the England team right now, I’d be thinking ‘Monty’s just given us a piece of ammunition that we can use on Steve Smith.What I’m trying to do is help the England team – this is your opportunity; you’re at Perth, no Pat Cummins or Josh Hazlewood. If you’ve got the courage and you think it’s a good idea, say it to him," he said on on BBC 5 Live.
Meanwhile, Smith also filled in as skipper the last time England toured Australia in 2021-22, after Cummins was forced to isolate for the Adelaide Test during the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, the home team has also revealed its playing XI for the Perth Test.
Australia playing XI for Perth Test:
Usman Khawaja, Jake Weatherald, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith (c), Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey (wk), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Brendan Doggett, Scott Boland
