Panesar Urges Tactics on Smith; He Retorts with Quiz Jibe

Former England spinner Monty Panesar has called for psychological tactics against Australian batsman Steve Smith ahead of the 2025-26 Ashes series, prompting a pointed retort from Smith during a press conference in Perth on the eve of the first Test.

Panesar, who played 50 Tests for England between 2006 and 2013, suggested that England captain Ben Stokes and his team target Smith by referencing the 2018 ball-tampering scandal in South Africa, known as Sandpapergate. In that incident, Smith, then Australia's captain, along with vice-captain David Warner and bowler Cameron Bancroft, received bans for attempting to alter the condition of the ball during a Test against South Africa in Cape Town. Panesar urged players to make Smith "feel guilty" and "doubt himself," proposing jibes such as joking that swinging conditions were impossible without sandpaper if English bowlers troubled him. He also encouraged the Barmy Army, England's traveling supporters, to create a new song aimed at Smith and called on British media to amplify the pressure, noting that Australian outlets would do the same if roles were reversed.

Smith, stepping in as captain for the injured Pat Cummins for the opening...