### Tensions Rise Ahead of the Ashes: Steve Smith and Monty Panesar Engage in Pre-Test Banter As the highly anticipated Ashes series kicks off, a war of words has erupted between Australian captain Steve Smith and former England spinner Monty Panesar. The exchange began when Panesar suggested that England's players should target Smith over his involvement in the infamous 'Sandpapergate' scandal, which has continued to haunt the Australian cricketer since its revelation in 2018. In response, Smith took a jab at Panesar's past performance on the quiz show "Mastermind," igniting a humorous yet pointed back-and-forth just hours before the first Test in Perth on November 22, 2025 [https://www.firstpost.com/firstcricket/monty-panesar-steve-smith-banter-australia-vs-england-1st-test-ashes-13952606.html]. ### Breakdown of the Exchange: Key Points of the Banter 1. **Panesar's Initial Comments**: Monty Panesar called for England fans and players to shame Smith over the Sandpapergate incident, suggesting it could give them a psychological edge in the series [https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/cricket/steve-smith-monty-panesar-rant-ashes-b2868834.html]. 2. **Smith's Response**: In a pre-match press conference, Smith humorously referenced Panesar's gaffe-ridden appearance on "Mastermind," stating, "Anyone who believes Athens is in Germany doesn't really bother me," highlighting Panesar's blunders on the show [https://www.timesnownews.com/sports/cricket/australia-vs-england-athens-in-germany-america-a-city-steve-smith-brutally-roasts-monty-panesar-over-sandpaper-jibe-watch-article-153181428]. 3. **Panesar's Retort**: Following Smith's comments, Panesar fired back, saying, "I'd rather fail at Mastermind than be a cheat," drawing a clear distinction between his quiz show mistakes and Smith's cricketing controversies [https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/cricket/monty-panesar-hits-back-at-steve-smith-on-eve-of-ashes-my-mistakes-were-on-a-quiz-show-yours-were-on-a-cricket-field-2823430-2025-11-20]. 4. **Media Coverage**: The exchange has garnered significant media attention, with various outlets highlighting the humorous yet serious undertones of the banter, emphasizing the psychological gamesmanship typical of the Ashes series [https://www.rediff.com/cricket/report/smiths-hilarious-counter-punch-at-panesar-at-ashes-presser/20251120.htm]. ### Supporting Evidence: The Context of the Banter - **Historical Context**: The Sandpapergate scandal involved Australian players tampering with the ball during a Test match in 2018, leading to significant backlash and suspensions for key players, including Smith [https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/cricket/monty-panesar-steve-smith-ashes-sandpapergate-mastermind-b2869294.html]. - **Panesar's Mastermind Appearance**: Panesar's 2019 appearance on "Mastermind" became infamous for his incorrect answers, which have since been a source of light-hearted mockery in cricket circles [https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/cricket/monty-panesar-fires-back-steve-smith-mastermind-b2869111.html]. - **Public Reaction**: The public and media have reacted with amusement to the exchange, with many fans enjoying the light-hearted nature of the rivalry, which is a hallmark of the Ashes series [https://www.espn.co.uk/cricket/story/_/id/47035094/the-ashes-2025-26-why-monty-panesar-trending-eve-perth-test]. ### Conclusion: A Light-Hearted Yet Tense Prelude to the Ashes In summary, the pre-Ashes banter between Steve Smith and Monty Panesar has set the stage for an exciting series filled with competitive spirit and psychological games. 1. **Smith's Humor**: Smith's comedic retort to Panesar's comments reflects the intense rivalry and the psychological tactics often employed in cricket [https://www.channelnewsasia.com/sport/smith-fires-back-mastermind-panesar-over-sandpapergate-comments-5479766]. 2. **Panesar's Defense**: Panesar's sharp comeback emphasizes the ongoing impact of the Sandpapergate scandal on Smith's reputation, contrasting it with his own light-hearted quiz show mistakes [https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/cricket/monty-panesar-hits-back-at-steve-smith-on-eve-of-ashes-my-mistakes-were-on-a-quiz-show-yours-were-on-a-cricket-field-2823430-2025-11-20]. 3. **Anticipation for the Series**: As the first Test approaches, fans are eager to see how this verbal sparring translates onto the field, making the Ashes 2025/26 a must-watch event [https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/cricket/steve-smith-monty-panesar-rant-ashes-b2868834.html]. This exchange not only highlights the personal dynamics between players but also adds an entertaining layer to the historic rivalry between Australia and England.