Celebrity Fan Web – Ahead of the first Ashes Test, Australia’s stand-in captain Steve Smith aimed a sharp and somewhat bizarre response at former England spinner Monty Panesar. The comments from Panesar, who played 50 Tests for England between 2006 and 2013. Had stirred the pot earlier in the week. Panesar suggested that England should make Smith feel “guilty” about his involvement in the infamous 2018 ‘Sandpapergate’ scandal, a remark that Smith did not let slide.
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Following the ball-tampering incident during the 2018 South Africa series, Australia sacked Smith as captain. The scandal remains a sore point for many, especially England fans, who continue to taunt the 36-year-old cricketer over it. Panesar, speaking on a gambling website, advised England’s Ben Stokes and the team to target Smith’s past by implying that he had not played fairly and should not be allowed to captain.
Panesar suggested that the England team should make Smith feel guilty, using harsh comments about his integrity to get under his skin. “Really get into him and make him feel guilty about it,” Panesar said, recommending they push the issue to rattle Smith psychologically.
Steve Smith Responds with Humor and a Reference to Monty Panesar’s Appearance on ‘Mastermind’
Smith’s response to Panesar’s comments came during a pre-match news conference at Perth Stadium, just ahead of the opening Test. The question regarding Panesar’s remarks seemed pre-arranged, as it was posed early in the press briefing.
In a response that caught many by surprise, Smith deflected the criticism with humor. “I’m going to go off topic here,” Smith began. “Who of you in the room has seen Mastermind, and Monty Panesar on that? Any of you?” he asked the journalists, referencing a previous appearance Panesar made on the British quiz show ‘Mastermind’. Smith then added, “Those of you that have will understand where I’m coming from. If you haven’t, do yourself a favour because it is pretty comical.”
Smith continued, making light of some of the incorrect answers Panesar had given during his appearance on the show, saying, “Anyone who believes that Athens is in Germany. Oliver Twist is a season of the year, and America is a city, it doesn’t really bother me those comments.”
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Smith’s reply, blending humor with a light-hearted jab at Panesar’s quiz performance, clearly sought to downplay the criticism. The Australian captain’s comments signaled that he wasn’t taking Panesar’s remarks too seriously. Instead choosing to brush them off with humor and a subtle dig at Panesar’s knowledge outside of cricket.
With the Ashes series about to begin, it remains to be seen whether Panesar’s words will affect Smith or the Australian team’s performance. What is clear, however, is that Smith stays focused on the task at hand, demonstrating his readiness to take on the challenge without letting outside distractions or comments from former cricketers get in his way.