As the Ashes 2025 series gets underway in Perth, former England spinner Monty Panesar has emerged as an unlikely psychological weapon for the visitors. Panesar has suggested that England should subtly remind Australia captain Steve Smith of his 2018 ball-tampering scandal to gain a mental edge in the series.
Panesar’s comments immediately drew a reaction from Smith, who instead of defending his past, took a cheeky swipe at Panesar’s 2019 Celebrity Mastermind appearance. Smith highlighted some of the former spinner’s infamous mistakes on the show, including claiming Athens was in Germany and describing America as a city, before dismissing the comments as irrelevant to his focus on cricket.
Speaking to BBC Radio 5Live, Panesar responded with his trademark wit. “I made a mistake on a quiz show; he made his on a cricket field,” he said. “The fact he’s still talking about my Mastermind clips shows he’s already distracted. Maybe England are in his head before the first ball.”
Panesar insisted that this was the perfect opening for England to apply subtle pressure. “A bit of mind-game cricket can make a huge difference. Get him early, and the psychological advantage is ours,” he explained.
The former spinner also reflected on the enduring sensitivity surrounding Sandpaper-gate, emphasising that Smith’s defensive reaction indicated the scandal remains a raw memory. For Panesar, this is not just commentary; it’s strategic insight.
Sandpaper-gate, which saw Smith and Warner suspended for 12 months and Bancroft for nine, remains one of cricket’s most infamous controversies. It reshaped Australian cricket and continues to influence the psyche of players on both sides.
With tempers flaring and verbal jabs already exchanged, the first Ashes Test promises drama both on and off the field. Fans can expect cricketing skill and psychological warfare to be intertwined throughout the series, setting the stage for one of the fiercest contests in recent memory.