Monty Panesar and Steve Smith unexpectedly found themselves in a confrontation ahead of the Ashes series. Smith revisited the ‘Sandpapergate’ scandal during a press conference, drawing attention to Panesar’s earlier remarks that had gone unnoticed by many cricket enthusiasts.
Panesar had suggested that Ben Stokes and the England team should target Smith’s guilt over the scandal to gain a psychological edge. Smith, the central figure in the sandpaper controversy of 2018, cleverly brought up Panesar’s appearance on Mastermind, highlighting humorous misconceptions to downplay the comments made against him.
Following his suspension as Australia’s captain in the aftermath of the scandal, Smith has been reinstated to lead his team in the upcoming Test in Perth due to Pat Cummins’ unavailability. Panesar, a former England spinner, responded to Smith’s remarks, acknowledging both their past errors but distinguishing between a quiz show mistake and a cricketing controversy.
The Ashes series is set to commence in Perth with England likely opting for a pace-heavy bowling attack. Sky has announced a discounted Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle for the upcoming season, offering a substantial saving and access to a wide range of live sports events, including a significant increase in live Premier League matches.
Please note that cookies and other identifiers are utilized on our website to enhance user experience and provide personalized advertising. You can manage your data preferences by clicking the appropriate button on the webpage. By using our services, you consent to the use of cookies as detailed in our Privacy Notice and Terms and Conditions.