Stand-in Australia captain Steve Smith made an unusual remark directed at former England spinner Monty Panesar just before the first Ashes Test. Panesar had suggested that England should make Smith feel “guilty” over his involvement in the ‘Sandpapergate’ scandal of 2018, which led to Smith being removed from his captaincy after a ball-tampering incident against South Africa. This incident is frequently referenced by English fans as a taunt towards Smith. The question regarding Panesar’s comments was introduced at a press conference shortly after it began, suggesting it may have been prearranged between Smith and the journalist.
Smith referenced Monty Panesar’s appearance on the BBC TV show Mastermind, where he provided only one correct answer, to illustrate a humorous point. He engaged the audience by asking if they had seen Panesar on the show and encouraged those who hadn’t to watch it, calling it comical. Smith noted that comments by others, which included misconceptions such as Athens being in Germany and America being a city, did not concern him. He concluded his remarks in light of the eagerly anticipated Ashes series beginning that Friday.
Until Smith’s bite at Panesar, both teams had maintained a stance of non-hostility. The West Australian newspaper instigated tensions before the series, calling the England team “arrogant Bazballing Poms” on its front page. England’s coach, Brendon McCullum, commented in an exclusive interview with BBC Sport that the excitement surrounding the series is “pretty cool.”
Smith is substituting for the regular captain Pat Cummins, who is absent due to a back injury for the first Test match. During a media address lasting 17 minutes, an unexpected focus on Panesar, particularly before the significant Test series, stood out. In 2024, Panesar declared his intention to run for MP in the general election representing the Workers Party of Britain, but he withdrew his candidacy a week later.
