Steve Smith Fires Back at Monty Panesar’s ‘Sandpaper’ Remark Ahead of 2025 Ashes
Perth, Nov 19 (The Deccan Times): Australia’s stand-in captain Steve Smith has hit back sharply at former England spinner Monty Panesar, who recently suggested that England players should make Smith “feel guilty” about his role in the 2018 Sandpapergate scandal during the upcoming 2025 Ashes.
Panesar had told a podcast that England should question Smith’s ethics and even target him mentally.
“Tell him, ‘I don’t think it’s ethical he’s captain. I don’t think he played fairly.’ Make him feel guilty and doubt whether he should even be there,” Panesar said.
Smith responds with a stinging dig
Speaking at a pre-match press conference ahead of the first Ashes Test in Perth, Smith brushed aside Panesar’s comments with a sarcastic swipe — referencing the ex-spinner’s viral performance on BBC’s Celebrity Mastermind (2019), where he famously answered only one question correctly.
Smith said:
“Anyone who believes Athens is in Germany, Oliver Twist is a season, and America is a city… those comments don’t really bother me.”
He added that those who have watched the episode would understand why he wasn’t taking Panesar seriously.
Sandpapergate: A brief reminder
The 2018 ball-tampering scandal in South Africa resulted in severe punishments for three Australian players.
- Steve Smith: 12-month ban + loss of captaincy
- David Warner: 12-month ban
- Cameron Bancroft: 9-month ban
Bancroft was caught using sandpaper to rough up the ball, while investigations revealed Warner had planned the act and Smith, then captain, was aware of it.
Ashes 2025 begins Friday
The highly anticipated 2025 Ashes series kicks off on Friday at Perth Stadium, and Smith’s comments have already added an early spark to the rivalry.
