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How to tune into Sport NationEngland cult hero doubles down on Smith ball tampering sledge
SEN • November 21st, 2025 8:35 am
Steve Smith ignited a bizarre pre-Ashes war of words with Monty Panesar, mocking the spinner for errors he made on a quiz show, and now the England star has doubled down on his sandpapergate sledging of the Australia captain.
In a pre-Test press conference, Smith ridiculed Pansar over his appearance on celebrity Mastermind in 2019. He managed jut one correct answer in general knowledge.
Returning serve to Smith's quip that anyone who thought "Athens was in Germany" or "Oliver Twist is a season" should not be taken seriously, Panesar told the BBC: "I've had some great moments for England and I've had shockers.
"He's had some great moments for Australia and he's obviously had a very big shocker in South Africa.
"We've both made mistakes. I made mine on a quiz show, he made his on a cricket field.
"What makes it more sort of pleasing is that the night before the Test match, he's watching my Mastermind clips, memorising the questions and the answers.
"And it kind of feels like England are already in his head and I can rattle the Aussies from sitting on my sofa.
"It's opened up now for the England boys to really go hard at him, play a few mind games with him. It could be that difference where he gets out early and suddenly they're say "thanks Monty".
"I know I'm guilty of bad general knowledge, not ball tampering.
"It's obviously still a sensitive subject for him and I think no one thought he would respond in this way. I suppose he's clearly trying to deviate from the subject, but still quite a sensitive one for him."
Panesar, who played 50 Tests between 2006 and 2013, last week encouraged England players to make Smith "feel guilty" about his part in the ball tampering scandal which rocked the cricket world back in 2018.
Smith copped a 12 ban from cricket for his role in the saga which also involved David Warner and Cameron Bancroft.
