Steve Smith Claps Back at Monty Panesar’s Sandpaper Remark

The Ashes rivalry just got personal—again. In a fiery exchange that’s reignited old wounds, Australian batting maestro Steve Smith has launched a scathing counterattack against former England spinner Monty Panesar, who recently called for Smith to be “targeted” over his role in the 2018 Sandpapergate scandal. But instead of addressing the ethics of on-field retribution, Smith took a different—and far more brutal—route: he mocked Panesar’s widely ridiculed appearance on Celebrity Mastermind .

“Anyone who thinks I should be held accountable based on what they saw on Celebrity Mastermind… well, good luck with that,” Smith quipped in a press conference ahead of the Ashes opener, drawing laughter from reporters and striking a blow to Panesar’s credibility . The jab wasn’t just a witty retort—it was a calculated dismantling of the messenger, not the message.

Table of Contents

• Steve Smith vs Monty Panesar: The Sandpaper Remark Backlash
• Panesar’s Mastermind Meltdown: Why It Matters
• Smith’s Strategy: Deflect and Dominate
• Australia XI Confirmed: Cummins Out for Ashes Opener
• What This Means for the Ashes Rivalry
• Summary
• Sources

Steve Smith vs Monty Panesar: The Sandpapergate Remark Backlash

The controversy began when Monty Panesar appeared on a British sports podcast, urging current England players to “make Smith pay” for his involvement in the 2018 ball-tampering scandal. “He’s the symbol of that cheating,” Panesar said. “Don’t let him forget it. Every single ball, remind him” .

While such comments aren’t uncommon in the emotionally charged Ashes landscape, Smith’s response was unexpected in its tone and target. Rather than defend his past or apologize yet again (he’s done so multiple times since 2018), he chose to question Panesar’s authority to lecture anyone on cricketing conduct—or general knowledge.

“Look, I’ve moved on. I’ve served my suspension. I’ve worked hard to earn back respect,” Smith said calmly. “But if someone’s going to lecture me from the sidelines, maybe they should first recall what year the Ashes were first played… or even their own specialist subject” .

Panesar’s Mastermind Meltdown: Why It Matters

For those unfamiliar, Monty Panesar’s 2022 appearance on Celebrity Mastermind became an internet sensation—not for the right reasons. His specialist subject was “spin bowling,” yet he failed to answer basic questions about his own field .

Notable Blunders from Panesar’s Mastermind Appearance:

• Could not name the inventor of the doosra (Saqlain Mushtaq).
• Guessed incorrectly on how many Ashes series he’d played in.
• Scored just 8 points out of a possible 30, one of the show’s lowest celebrity scores ever .

In cricketing circles, the appearance was seen as emblematic of a disconnect between past players and the modern game’s demands. Smith’s reference wasn’t just a personal jab—it was a subtle reminder that credibility matters, especially when calling for on-field aggression rooted in moral judgment.

Smith’s Strategy: Deflect and Dominate

This isn’t the first time Smith has used humor to disarm critics. After his return from the Sandpapergate ban, he consistently refused to be defined by the incident, instead letting his bat do the talking—most notably with 774 runs in the 2019 Ashes .

By mocking Panesar’s Mastermind fiasco, Smith accomplishes three things:

1. Shifts the narrative from guilt to absurdity.
2. Undermines the critic’s authority without sounding defensive.
3. Keeps media focus on his current form, not past mistakes.

It’s a masterclass in PR from a player who’s learned to navigate intense scrutiny with grace—and a sharp sense of irony.

Australia XI Confirmed: Cummins Out for Ashes Opener

Amid the verbal fireworks, Australia also confirmed their playing XI for the first Test at Edgbaston. Captain Pat Cummins remains sidelined with a hamstring injury, meaning pace spearhead Josh Hazlewood will lead the attack alongside Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon in the spin department .

Usman Khawaja returns at the top of the order, while young all-rounder Cooper Connolly earns his debut—a clear sign Australia is blending experience with fresh legs for this high-stakes series.

What This Means for the Ashes Rivalry

The Smith–Panesar spat is more than tabloid fodder. It reflects a deeper tension: how to reconcile past transgressions with present competition. While England fans may still harbor resentment, current players like Joe Root and Ben Stokes have largely moved on, focusing on beating Smith through skill—not sledging .

Smith, for his part, seems determined to close this chapter once and for all. As he prepares to face Stuart Broad and co., his message is clear: judge me by my cover drives, not my past.

For more on how teams manage off-field drama during high-pressure series, see our deep dive on [INTERNAL_LINK:handling-media-pressure-in-international-cricket].

Summary

In a sharp and unexpected counter, Steve Smith vs Monty Panesar took center stage ahead of the Ashes 2025 opener. When Panesar urged England to “target” Smith over Sandpapergate, Smith responded not with remorse—but with a brutal reference to Panesar’s infamous Celebrity Mastermind blunder, effectively questioning his critic’s credibility. Meanwhile, Australia confirmed their XI for the first Test, with Pat Cummins ruled out due to injury. As the rivalry heats up, Smith’s message is clear: the past is behind him, and the only scoreboard that matters is on the field.

Sources

• Times of India: Steve Smith’s brutal takedown of Panesar’s sandpaper remark
• ESPNCricinfo: Smith dismisses Panesar’s Sandpapergate remarks
• BBC Sport: Australia name squad for Ashes opener
• The Guardian: Monty Panesar’s Celebrity Mastermind appearance