Steve Smith makes Mastermind dig at Monty Panesar after ‘guilty’ barb ahead of Ashes series as former England bowler fires back
Updated 20/11/2025 at 14:45 GMT
Steve Smith left the cricket world somewhat bewildered with an unlikely dig on former England spinner Monty Panesar on Thursday. Smith was asked to respond to comments from Panesar about England making him feel "guilty" for his part in the 'Sandpapergate' scandal. He then referred to Panesar's answers on the BBC quiz show Mastermind in 2019, prompting a response from the former England bowler.
Watch: 'Pretty comical' - Smith fires back at Panesar in press conference
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Steve Smith launched a bizarre dig at former England spinner Monty Panesar on the eve of the Ashes series, with the ex-England spinner later providing his own comeback.
Panesar said in the build-up to the first Test in Perth - live on TNT Sports and discovery+ - that England should make Smith feel "guilty" about his part in the 'Sandpapergate' scandal of 2018.
"Ben Stokes and the England team have got to make Steve Smith feel guilty and play on that," Panesar said.
"Say something like, 'I don't think it's ethical that he's the captain, I don't think he played the game fairly'. Really get into him and make him feel guilty about it."
Smith lost his job as captain following the ball-tampering episode against South Africa.
But Smith wasn't prepared to let these comments go without hitting back, and used an appearance by Panesar on the BBC's quiz show Mastermind in 2019 to do so.
"I'm going to go off-topic here," said Smith. "Who of you in the room has seen Mastermind, and Monty Panesar on that? Any of you?
"Those of you that have will understand where I'm coming from. If you haven't, do yourself a favour because it is pretty comical.
"Anyone who believes that Athens is in Germany, Oliver Twist is a season of the year, and America is a city, it doesn't really bother me those comments. That's as far as I'll go with that one."
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Watch: 'Not about me' says Root as he targets first century in Australia
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Speaking later on Thursday, Panesar hit back at Smith, telling the BBC: "We've both made mistakes. I made mine on a quiz show. He [Smith] made his on a cricket field."
Panesar also told the PA news agency: "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. Say ‘Monty’s in your head, mate, you’ve got a No. 11 batsman in your head, are you going to bat like him today?’
"Making him uncomfortable is the key. Ashes cricket is all about gaining one-percenters, could this be the one-percent advantage for the England team to get Steve Smith out.
"Is this a one-percenter where England can sledge him and all of the lads are going to get into him, make him uncomfortable for the first 10 to 20 balls, he doesn’t get going and gets out? [If that works] England will be thinking we need to do this every time."
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Monty Panesar (right) and Jimmy Anderson after their Ashes heroics in Cardiff in 2009
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Panesar played 50 Tests for England between 2006 and 2013. His most memorable Ashes contribution arguably came with the bat, when he and James Anderson blocked out the final 11.5 overs of the first Test in Cardiff in 2009, as the hosts claimed an unlikely draw.
Players from both teams have generally been restrained ahead of this series in Australia, with much of the edge coming from the media.
The West Australian newspaper, which has been baiting England for weeks, labelled the tourists "arrogant Bazballing Poms" on Thursday.
England coach Brendon McCullum was asked about the hype when speaking to reporters on the eve of the series.
McCullum did his best to play it down, saying it was "pretty cool".
England will be aiming to win down under for the first time since 2010/11, with hosts Australia going into the series as favourites.
- Smith 'embracing the noise' ahead of Ashes debut
- Ashes schedule: Match dates, start times, how to watch and live stream on TNT Sports
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Ashes 'certainly biggest series' for Stokes in his captaincy tenure
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All the action will be live on TNT Sports and discovery+, beginning with the Perth Test at 2.20am UK time on Friday morning (coverage begins at 1:30am on the first day, then 2:00 am).
There are three Tests in December, a day-night match in Brisbane, the third match of the series in Adelaide and then the iconic Boxing Day Test in Melbourne.
The series will conclude with the fifth Test in Sydney, which starts on January 4.
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Watch and stream the 2025/26 Ashes series live on TNT Sports and discovery+
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