Stand-in Australia captain Steve Smith has taken a cheeky jab at former England spinner Monty Panesar ahead of the first Ashes Test. Panesar, who played for England from 2006 to 2013, recently urged the England team to exploit Smith’s past regarding the infamous ‘Sandpapergate’ scandal. This event, which occurred during a Test match in South Africa, led to Smith being removed as captain.
Background on Sandpapergate Scandal
The ‘Sandpapergate’ incident involved ball-tampering and has been a point of contention in the cricketing world. England fans frequently use it to taunt Smith during matches.
Panesar’s Comments
In a recent interview, Panesar emphasized that England should make Smith feel guilty about the scandal. He suggested that players like Ben Stokes should directly challenge Smith’s integrity by questioning his captaincy. This commentary was highlighted just before the Ashes series began.
Smith’s Response
In a pre-match press conference at Perth Stadium, Smith addressed Panesar’s remarks. His response included a reference to Panesar’s appearance on the 2019 BBC show Celebrity Mastermind. During that episode, Panesar struggled with the general knowledge round, getting only one question right.
Details of the Celebrity Mastermind Appearance
- Panesar correctly answered six questions on Sikhism in the specialist round.
- He erroneously identified Athens as being in Germany.
- He mistakenly referred to Oliver Twist as a season of the year.
- He also claimed that America is a city.
Smith, while addressing the press, stated, “Anyone who believes those misconceptions doesn’t really bother me.” He concluded, “If you haven’t seen the show, do yourself a favour; it’s quite comical.”
Conclusion
As the Ashes series approaches, the rivalry between Australia and England continues to heat up, with Smith and Panesar’s exchange adding more fuel to the fire. Fans can expect an intense competition as both teams vie for supremacy.
