Steve Smith brutally annihilates Monty Panesar over 'sandpapergate' sledge ahead of Ashes opener

Australia captain Steve Smith fired back at former England spinner Monty Panesar ahead of the first Ashes Test match, set to begin on Friday, November 21, in Perth. Smith poked fun at Panesar’s appearance on the quiz show Mastermind, where the former England spinner struggled to answer even basic questions.

Australia confirmed their XI for the first Test of the Ashes, with two debutants in the lineup. Jake Weatherald and Brendan Doggett will play their first Test match. It is the first time Australia have handed two debut caps in the same match since 2019. Meanwhile, England have already revealed their 12-member squad.

Ben Stokes and England Have Got to Make Steve Smith Feel Guilty - Monty Panesar

Monty Panesar stirred controversy before the Ashes. He urged England’s players and the British media to go after Steve Smith and unsettle him with remarks about the 2018 Sandpapergate scandal. However, the comments were dismissed by the Australian camp.

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"Ben Stokes and the England team have got to make Steve Smith feel guilty and play on that," Panesar told Aceodds.com

“Say something like, ‘I don’t think it’s ethical that he’s the captain, I don’t think he played the game fairly’. Really get into him and make him feel guilty about it. Make him feel like, ‘they’re probably right, I shouldn’t be here, I shouldn’t be doing this.’”

I’m Going to Go Off Topic Here - Steve Smith

During the pre-match press conference, Steve Smith was asked about Monty Panesar’s criticism. He stated that such comments did not bother him. Smith said that anyone who had seen the Mastermind episode would understand why he wasn’t taking Panesar’s remarks seriously.

“I’m going to go off topic here, who in the room has seen Mastermind, and Monty Panesar on that? Any of you?" the 35-year-old said with a smile.

“Those of you that have will understand where I’m coming from. If you haven’t, do yourself a favour because it is pretty comical. Anyone that believes that Athens is in Germany, that’s a start, or that Oliver Twist is a season of the year and America is a city. It doesn’t really bother me, those comments. That’s as far as I’ll go with that one,” he added.

Monty Panesar said England should reignite Sandpaper-gate during the Ashes...

Steve Smith came prepared. 😂 pic.twitter.com/Kspp5nuBXv

— Herald Sun Sport (@heraldsunsport) November 20, 2025

Australia Announce Playing XI For Ashes 2025-26 Series Opener

Australia will hand Test debuts to Jake Weatherald and Brendan Doggett in the opening Ashes match in Perth, where both players will receive their baggy greens in front of a full house. Weatherald will become Usman Khawaja’s sixth opening partner since David Warner’s retirement.

Marnus Labuschagne will return to his preferred No. 3 slot. Labuschagne had been dropped for the West Indies tour earlier in the year after a dip in form, but he forced his way back with a remarkable domestic season featuring five centuries in eight innings for Queensland.

Steve Smith, Travis Head, and Cameron Green will bat in the middle order. Beau Webster has been dropped from the playing XI. Doggett earns his first Test cap after years of consistent performances. He has replaced injured Josh Hazlewood, while Scott Boland has been included in place of Pat Cummins.

Also read: Sanju Samson launches indirect scathing attack on RR in 1st CSK video