Australian captain Steve Smith fired back at Monty Panesar after the former England spinner urged Ben Stokes to “reignite sandpaper-gate” during the upcoming Ashes tour in Australia. Speaking on the eve of the series opener, Smith responded with a sharp yet humorous dig, recalling Panesar’s infamous appearance on Mastermind, where the ex-cricketer delivered several wildly incorrect answers.
Steve Smith, with a grin, asked the room, “Who here has seen Monty Panesar on Mastermind?” The question instantly drew laughter from reporters. “Those who have watched it will understand where I’m coming from,” he added. “And those who haven’t — do yourself a favour, because it’s pretty comical.”
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The Aussie star didn’t hold back, cheekily referencing Panesar’s incorrect responses on the quiz show. “Anyone who believes Athens is in Germany, Oliver Twist is a season, and America is a city doesn’t really bother me,” Smith said, clearly amused by the situation.
While Steve Smith’s retort stole headlines, England’s focus remains firmly on reclaiming the Ashes urn — a trophy they haven’t held since 2015. Since then, Australia have dominated the historic rivalry, particularly at home, where England suffered a crushing 0-4 defeat in the 2017-18 series. The 2019 Ashes ended in a 2-2 draw, allowing Australia to retain the urn, before they once again asserted their supremacy with a commanding 4-0 win in the 2021-22 edition.
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Historically, Australia hold the upper hand with 34 Ashes series wins compared to England’s 33, while five have ended in a draw. On Australian soil, the hosts hold a commanding 20-15 advantage in series victories.
The upcoming Ashes will begin in Perth, followed by Brisbane’s Gabba for the second Test. The battle then moves to Adelaide Oval, continues to the iconic MCG for the Boxing Day Test, and concludes at the Sydney Cricket Ground — a fitting finale for cricket’s most storied rivalry.
