Steve Smith Fires Back at Monty Panesar Ahead of Ashes

Steve Smith has hit back at Monty Panesar's suggestions that England should bring up 'Sandpaper Gate' to get into his head ahead of the Ashes series.

What happened?

The incident occurred in 2018 when Australia were caught tampering with the ball using sandpaper under Smith's captaincy. Smith was sacked as captain and suspended for a year, along with David Warner as vice-captain.

Why it matters for Steve Smith

Panesar's comments were made earlier this month, advising England to make Smith feel guilty about the incident. But Smith was quick to respond, referencing Panesar's appearance on Celebrity Mastermind in 2019. Smith joked that Panesar's incorrect answers on the show, including thinking Athens is in Germany, made his comments irrelevant.

What comes next?

The Ashes series starts on Friday in Perth, with Smith standing in as Australia captain while Pat Cummins nurses a back injury. Smith's press conference answer was well-prepared, suggesting he had been expecting the question. Glenn Maxwell, Smith's former teammate, had flagged Panesar's Mastermind appearance to him on social media at the time. The incident has been a topic of discussion among Australian players for a while. Smith's response has set the tone for the upcoming series, with Australia looking to put the controversy behind them. The first Test starts on Friday, with Australia aiming to make a strong start to the series. Smith's leadership will be crucial, as he looks to guide his team to victory. The Ashes series is one of the most highly anticipated events in cricket, with both teams looking to make a statement.