Australia’s stand-in captain Steve Smith dealt a bizarre blow to former England player Monty Panesar on the eve of the first Ashes Test.
Panesar, who played 50 Tests between 2006 and 2013, said last week that England should make Smith feel “guilty” for his involvement in the 2018 ‘Sandpapergate’ scandal.
Smith was sacked as captain as a result of the ball-tampering episode against South Africa and is often used as a taunt by England fans for the 36-year-old.
In what appeared to be an arranged arrangement between Smith and a journalist, a question was raised about Panesar’s comments two minutes into the pre-match press conference at Perth Stadium.
Smith responded by referring to Panesar’s appearance on the BBC television show Mastermind, when he managed only one correct answer.
“I’m going to get off topic here,” Smith said. “Which one of you in the room has seen Mastermind and Monty Panesar in that? Any of you?”
“Those of you who have done it will understand where I’m coming from. If you haven’t, do yourself a favor because it’s pretty comical.”
“Anyone who believes that Athens is in Germany, that Oliver Twist is a season, and that the United States is a city, I don’t mind those comments. I’ll go that far.”
One of the most anticipated Ashes series in recent times begins on Friday.
Until Smith’s bite at Panesar, players from both teams had refrained from being hostile towards each other.
The Western Australian newspaper has been harassing the England team since it arrived in Perth.
Thursday’s front page labeled the tourists “bazballing arrogant poms.”
In an exclusive interview with BBC Sport, England coach Brendon McCullum said the hype around the series is “pretty good”.
Smith will replace regular captain Pat Cummins, who will miss the first Test with a back injury.
That Australia’s captain turned his attention to Panesar the day before such a big Test series began was a strange turn of events and the most memorable line in a 17-minute speech to the media.
In 2024, Panesar announced his intention to stand as an MP in the British Workers’ Party general election, but withdrew a week later.
