The lead-up to the 2025 Ashes series in Perth has been anything but subdued. Former England spinner Monty Panesar and Australia captain Steve Smith have ignited a war of words that promises to add extra drama to what is already cricket’s fiercest rivalry.
Panesar, who last donned the England jersey during the 2013-14 Ashes tour, set the tone earlier this week by suggesting England’s players should not hesitate to remind Smith of his involvement in the infamous 2018 ball-tampering scandal—commonly referred to as Sandpaper-gate. Panesar argued that unsettling Smith psychologically could give the visitors an early advantage in the series.
Smith, speaking at a pre-match press conference, chose an unexpected route in his response. Rather than addressing the ball-tampering controversy directly, he launched a playful yet sharp attack on Panesar’s appearance on the 2019 edition of Celebrity Mastermind, a programme remembered for several spectacularly incorrect answers.
“Has anyone here seen Monty Panesar on Mastermind? If not, do yourselves a favour—it’s quite comical,” Smith said, smirking. He cited Panesar’s infamous gaffes, including claiming Athens was in Germany, describing Oliver Twist as a season, and naming America as a city. “Comments like his don’t really bother me,” Smith concluded, earning laughter from the press room.
Panesar, however, remained unshaken. Speaking to BBC Radio 5Live, he cleverly turned the conversation back to Smith’s scandal. “We’ve both made mistakes. I made mine on a quiz show; he made his on the cricket field,” Panesar said pointedly. “It’s clear he’s preoccupied with my Mastermind clips the night before a Test match. Perhaps England are already in his head—I might just rattle the Aussies from my sofa.”
Panesar’s remarks suggest he believes Smith’s defensive response proves that Sandpaper-gate is still a sore point. “I know my general knowledge isn’t perfect, but ball tampering? That’s his problem,” Panesar added.
He urged the England squad to capitalise on the psychological opening. “There’s an opportunity here. Put a bit of mental pressure on him, get him out early, and the England boys might just say, ‘Thanks, Monty.’”
Sandpaper-gate remains one of cricket’s most notorious controversies. Smith and David Warner were banned for 12 months, while Cameron Bancroft received a nine-month suspension for his role in the 2018 Cape Town incident.
With tensions already high before a ball has been bowled, this year’s Ashes are shaping up to be a battle as much of minds as of skill. Cricket fans can expect sparks to fly both on and off the pitch.