UK Media Criticizes Smith for Reviving Old Controversy and Fueling Fan Reactions

The Ashes series has begun. The first Test is being played at Optus Stadium in Perth. Just before the match, Australia's interim captain, Steve Smith, made a sharp remark on former England spinner Monty Panesar. In fact, Panesar had targeted Smith over the 2018 Sandpaper Gate, saying that England should use the issue to get into Smith's head so he feels guilty. Smith was asked to comment on this statement at a press conference.

Smith said he was not fazed by it initially, but then responded strongly using Panesar's 2019 celebrity episode of the TV quiz show "Mastermind." Smith laughed and said, "I'm going a little off-topic, but have you seen Monty Panesar on Mastermind? Those who have will understand. If you haven't, definitely watch it, because it's quite comical."

Smith sarcastically mentioned Panesar's incorrect answers, "Saying Athens is in Germany... Saying 'Oliver Twist' is the weather... Saying America is a 'city'..." Smith added, "I don't care about comments from someone like that." Panesar later responded to Smith's statement, saying, "We've both made mistakes, me on the quiz show, him on the cricket field... My knowledge is weak, but I didn't tamper with the ball, and I can admit that any day."

He also claimed that Smith's response would give England a mental edge. Panesar said, "It's funny to know that he was watching my Mastermind clips on the eve of the Test match. It seems England is already on his mind."

The Australian media also criticized Panesar. The Age wrote, "Panesar was never known for his game sense. Shane Warne said of him, 'Monty Panesar hasn't played 33 Tests, but the same Test 33 times.' His answers to Mastermind were similar."

The Times of London offered a completely opposite view. He wrote, "What Smith did was utterly unfair. He revived a story that had been dormant for years. It is now almost certain that the 5,000-10,000 England fans in Perth will not miss this opportunity."