AUS vs ENG: Monty Panesar speaks in defence against Steve Smith
On the eve of the Ashes 2025–26 series, the buildup took an unexpected twist as a verbal spat between former England spinner Monty Panesar and Australia captain Steve Smith dominated headlines. What started as a seemingly casual remark from Panesar quickly spiraled into a full-blown talking point after Smith delivered a dramatic and pointed response—one that inevitably brought back echoes of the Sandpapergate controversy. Panesar, speaking in the lead-up to the highly anticipated series, urged England’s players to target Smith psychologically by bringing up his involvement in the 2018 ball-tampering scandal.
AUS vs ENG: Monty Panesar strikes back at Steve Smith to heat up the Ashes rivalry
According to Monty Panesar, Ben Stokes and his squad should make Smith “feel guilty” about returning as stand-in captain and should not hesitate to question the legitimacy of his leadership. Panesar’s comments, framed as tactical advice, struck a nerve and set the stage for a fiery exchange between past and present Ashes figures. During the press conference, Steve Smith appeared to deliberately set up a question that would allow him to deliver a pre-planned response. Stepping in as captain for the Perth Test in Pat Cummins’ absence, Smith seized the moment to take a humorous yet pointed jab at Monty Panesar.
He referenced Panesar’s viral Celebrity Mastermind appearance, where the former spinner became famous for a series of incorrect answers, most notably identifying Athens as part of Germany and describing Oliver Twist as a season. Smith’s remarks drew laughter from the room, making his retort both sharp and theatrical. Panesar, however, did not stay silent. He quickly fired back on social media, insisting that Smith’s decision to mock an old television clip only confirmed that the Australian captain had been rattled. Panesar maintained that his original comments about targeting Smith’s past were valid, keeping the war of words alive ahead of the Ashes opener.
"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," stated former England cricketer Monty Panesar.
Panesar escalated the exchange by taking a direct swipe at Steve Smith, calling the 2018 “Sandpapergate” scandal the worst example of Australian cheating in cricket history. He argued that the incident had permanently damaged Australia’s reputation and insisted that it remained a valid point of pressure for England to exploit during the Ashes. According to Panesar, Smith’s decision to mock his old quiz-show blunders only proved that the Australian captain was unsettled by the renewed focus on the controversy.
“I would actually ask Steve whether he can look himself in the mirror yet and admit that he was part of “sandpapergate”, the worst example of Australian cheating in history. Steve has just displayed a massive weakness and mental vulnerability that, at this level of elite sport, you cannot afford to do. “Look, we are all cricketers at the end of the day and I had some great days playing for my country, but I also had some shockers. He has had a lot of great days playing for his country but he has had one very big shocker: that day in South Africa in 2018. If I was Jofra Archer, I would be telling him “I’m swinging the ball even without sandpaper!”, or if I was Joe Root I’d be in his ear, “tell us how you do it mate, fine or coarse paper? Tell us the tricks of your trade,” he added.
Meanwhile, Steve Smith has experience stepping in as captain during an Ashes series. He last took charge in the 2021–22 home Ashes when Pat Cummins was forced into isolation ahead of the Adelaide Test due to COVID-19 protocols. Smith seamlessly assumed leadership duties on that occasion, guiding Australia with confidence and composure despite the sudden change. His steady presence and tactical clarity were widely praised, reinforcing the trust the team places in him whenever he is required to lead. This background makes his latest temporary return to captaincy in the 2025–26 Ashes less surprising, even as it unfolds under far more dramatic circumstances due to his ongoing verbal clash with Monty Panesar.
