Monty Panesar vs Steve Smith: The Ashes Mind Games Begin Early
The 2025-26 Ashes hasn’t even properly kicked off, but the mind games are already in full swing. In a fiery verbal exchange that’s lit up social media and press rooms alike, former England left-arm spinner Monty Panesar has delivered a scathing rebuttal to Australia’s stand-in captain Steve Smith—over, of all things, a TV quiz show.
Smith had reportedly mocked Panesar’s recent appearance on Celebrity Mastermind, where the ex-cricketer struggled with some questions. But Panesar didn’t take the jibe lying down. In a bold response, he flipped the script, calling Smith’s comments “desperate” and a sign that Monty Panesar vs Steve Smith isn’t just about past performances—but about psychological warfare ahead of the series .
Table of Contents
- What Did Steve Smith Say?
- Monty Panesar’s Fiery Response
- Sandpapergate Resurfaces: Panesar’s Counterattack
- Are the Ashes Mind Games Already On?
- Historical Context: Panesar and Smith in the Ashes
- Conclusion
- Sources
What Did Steve Smith Say?
According to sources cited by the Times of India, Steve Smith—deputizing as Australian captain while Pat Cummins rests—made light of Monty Panesar’s performance on the BBC show Celebrity Mastermind, where Panesar chose “The History of Spin Bowling” as his specialist subject .
Despite a respectable effort, Panesar stumbled on a few general knowledge questions, which Smith allegedly used as fodder in a locker-room quip: “Guess even spinners can’t spin their way out of every mess.” While seemingly light-hearted, the remark didn’t sit well with the English camp—or Panesar himself.
Monty Panesar’s Fiery Response
Panesar’s retort was swift and sharp: “My mistakes were on a quiz show. His were on the field—cheating in front of the whole world.” He went further, suggesting that Smith’s need to mock a retired player reflected insecurity: “If you’re already talking about ex-players before the first ball is bowled, maybe you’re not as confident as you pretend to be.”
He added that England had “already got inside their heads,” implying that Australia’s leadership—still shadowed by the 2018 ball-tampering scandal—remains psychologically vulnerable under pressure.
This isn’t just banter. In the high-stakes world of the Ashes, psychological edges matter. And Panesar, known for his emotional intelligence and spiritual approach to cricket, is clearly playing his part from the commentary box and beyond.
Sandpapergate Resurfaces: Panesar’s Counterattack
By invoking the 2018 ball-tampering incident—dubbed “Sandpapergate”—Panesar struck at the core of Australian cricket’s modern identity crisis. During that Cape Town Test, Smith, then captain, along with David Warner and Cameron Bancroft, orchestrated a plan to alter the ball’s condition using sandpaper.
The fallout was historic:
- Smith received a 12-month ban from international and domestic cricket.
- Australia lost its captain, vice-captain, and opening batter in one stroke.
- Cricket Australia launched a “cultural review,” calling the incident “the worst cheating” in the nation’s cricketing history .
Panesar’s pointed reminder underscores a lingering narrative: while England’s missteps are on game shows, Australia’s were on the field—with real consequences for the sport’s integrity.
Are the Ashes Mind Games Already On?
Absolutely. The Ashes has always been as much about psychology as it is about runs and wickets. From Botham’s Ashes in 1981 to the Warne-Sutherland duels, mental toughness defines champions.
Recent examples include:
- 2019 Edgbaston: Ben Stokes’ stare-down of Smith after his return from suspension sent shockwaves.
- 2021-22 Gabba: Joe Root’s calm demeanor contrasted with Australia’s aggressive sledging—yet England collapsed.
- 2023 Lord’s: Stuart Broad’s final Ashes over to Smith was as much theatre as cricket.
Panesar’s comments fit perfectly into this tradition. By framing Smith’s remark as a sign of fragility, he’s planting seeds of doubt—an age-old tactic in Ashes warfare. For fans diving into fantasy cricket, these psychological dynamics can even influence [INTERNAL_LINK:ashes-fantasy-team-strategy].
Historical Context: Panesar and Smith in the Ashes
Though their careers overlapped only briefly in Ashes contests, both men have left indelible marks.
Monty Panesar was a key part of England’s 2013 Ashes-winning squad, taking 11 wickets in the series with his relentless left-arm spin on turning English tracks. His partnership with Graeme Swann created one of the most effective spin duos in England history.
Steve Smith, on the other hand, has an Ashes batting average over 60—second only to Don Bradman among Australians with 1,000+ runs. His 2019 series (774 runs) was one of the greatest individual performances ever .
Yet, their legacies are viewed through different lenses: Panesar as a passionate, sometimes erratic talent; Smith as a batting genius tainted by scandal. This tension fuels the current clash—not on the pitch, but in the court of public opinion.
Conclusion
The Monty Panesar vs Steve Smith exchange may seem like off-field drama, but in Ashes cricket, narrative is power. Panesar’s sharp rebuttal isn’t just about defending his quiz show performance—it’s a calculated move to remind the world of Australia’s ethical missteps while questioning their current captain’s mental readiness. As the first Test in Perth looms, every word, jab, and headline adds pressure. And in a series decided by fine margins, that pressure could be the difference between urn retention and historic defeat.