Last Updated:
After Panesar called on Ben Stokes to reignite the Sandpaper-gate, Smith recollected Panesar’s woeful showing on ‘Mastermind’, in which he answered multiple questions incorrectly.
Steve Smith, Monty Panesar.
Australian skipper Steve Smith clapped back at Monty Panesar after the former English spinner called on England captain Ben Stokes to reignite the sandpaper-gate during their Ashes tour down under.
On the eve of the opener, Smith recollected Panesar’s woeful showing at ‘Mastermind’, in which the former international answered multiple questions incorrectly.
“Who of you in the room have seen Meastermind and Monty Panesar on that?” Smith asked as laughter from the seats filled the room in response.
“Well those who have will understand where I’m coming from, and those who haven’t, do yourself a favour cause it is pretty comical,” he smirked.
“Anyone who believes that Athens is in Germany, Oliver Twist is a season of the year, and America is a city, doesn’t really bother me,” he said.
England aims to reclaim the coveted urn, which they haven’t held since 2015 when they defeated Australia at home, and to break the Aussies’ dominance in the series over the past decade.
England surrendered the series in a disappointing manner with a 0-4 defeat to Australia in 2017-18 and now look to change the status quo in this fixture that has recently favoured the side from down under.
The 2019 series between these historic rivals ended in a 2-2 draw, allowing Australia to retain the urn before they went on to dominate the 2021-22 edition with a 4-0 series victory.
Australia has clinched the Ashes series 34 times, one more than England’s 33, with the series ending in a draw five times. On Australian soil, Australia leads with a 20-15 record against England in the series.
The upcoming edition of the biennial event is set to get underway at Perth, followed by the Gabba in Brisbane which is set to host the second Test of the series. The tour moves along to the Adelaide Oval for the third Test, Melbourne for the fourth Test, and concluding at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
November 20, 2025, 13:15 IST
Read More
