Steve Smith Hits Back at Monty Panesar For Sandpaper Scandal Dig

Stand-in Australia captain Steve Smith responded to Monty Panesar’s criticism by referencing the former spinner’s viral quiz show appearance.

Steve Smith has responded to Monty Panesar’s criticism with a pointed reference to the former England spinner’s infamous quiz show performance. The stand-in Australia captain addressed comments where Panesar suggested England should target Smith over the 2018 ball-tampering scandal.

When asked about Panesar’s remarks at a pre-match press conference in Perth, Smith diverted the conversation to Panesar’s 2019 appearance on Celebrity Mastermind.

Steve Smith’s Prepared Response

“I am going to go off topic here, who in the room has seen Mastermind, and Monty Panesar on that? Any of you?” Smith asked, drawing laughter from the room.

“Those of you that have will understand where I am coming from. If you have not, do yourself a favour because it is pretty comical. Anyone that believes that Athens is in Germany, that is a start, or that Oliver Twist is a season of the year and America is a city.

“It does not really bother me, those comments. That is as far as I will go with that one.”

Panesar’s original comments urged England to make Smith feel “guilty” about replacing Pat Cummins as captain for the first Test in The Ashes. His Celebrity Mastermind appearance had gone viral for several incorrect answers, including claiming Athens was in Germany.

Smith appeared calm throughout the press conference while naming Australia’s playing XI for the first Ashes Test.

“I’m pretty chilled. I think I’ve learned a lot over my journey. And yeah, the couple of times that I’ve stood in for Paddy, I’ve tried to be pretty relaxed and let the game play. And, obviously, I’ve got to do it my own way out there and have my own style. But I’m a lot more relaxed these days, chilled and let the guys go about their work,” Smith told the reporters.