Sometimes the tension leading up to a big sporting event doesn’t come from the pitch—it comes from the unexpected moments that get everyone talking.
Before the Ashes even kicked off, Monty Panesar found himself unintentionally stealing the spotlight, not for anything he did with the ball, but for something far more unusual.
How Monty Ended Up Back in the Conversation
What started as a simple bit of pre-series mind games suddenly turned into a full-blown talking point.
Panesar had suggested England should remind Steve Smith about Australia’s infamous sandpaper scandal to shake things up ahead of the first Test.
Smith, ready with a comeback at a press conference, didn’t hesitate to fire back—by bringing up Panesar’s memorable BBC Celebrity Mastermind appearance from 2019.
The Infamous Mastermind Clip Resurfaces
Panesar’s time in the black leather chair has lived rent-free in the minds of cricket fans for years.
His specialist round on Sikh religion went smoothly enough, earning him six solid points.
But once the general knowledge questions kicked in, things took a delightfully chaotic turn—one he later described as “like the Titanic ramming the Hindenburg.”
The Rapid-Fire Questions That Caused the Chaos
Below is how his two-minute general knowledge round unfolded, as John Humphrys fired off questions and Panesar tried his best under pressure:
Snooker Starter
Q: How many pockets are on a full-size snooker table?
A: Six. ✔️
Zodiac Mix-Up
Q: Which zodiac sign is represented by a crab?
A: “Sagittar—Scorpion.”
Correct: Cancer.
Milne Meets… Harry Potter?
Q: Title of A.A. Milne’s stage adaptation of The Wind in the Willows?
A: Harry Potter.
Correct: Toad of Toad Hall.
Henry VIII’s Wives
Q: The name of the wife who died shortly after giving birth to Edward VI?
A: Elizabeth.
Correct: Jane.
Absolute Temperature
Q: What is the international unit of absolute temperature?
A: “Pass.”
Correct: Kelvin.
Airports and Islands
Q: Asian island city-state served by Changi Airport?
A: Shanghai.
Correct: Singapore.
Pelagic Birds
Q: Birds described as pelagic spend most of their time flying over what?
A: The sky.
Correct: The sea.
Sheffield Strippers
Q: ’97 film about unemployed Sheffield men becoming strippers?
A: The Dream Boys.
Correct: The Full Monty.
Olympic Stadium Location
Q: Which city hosts the Olympiastadion built for the 1972 Olympics?
A: Athens?
Correct: Munich.
First Published Narnia Book
Q: Title of the first published volume of C.S. Lewis’ Chronicles of Narnia?
A: “C.J. Lewis.”
Correct: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.
Kimberlite Mineral Riches
Q: Kimberlite is a source of what precious stones?
A: “Tar… pass.”
Correct: Diamonds.
Musical Tribute Title
Q: Name the five guys in the title of the musical honouring Louis Jordan.
A: “Pass.”
Correct: Five Guys Named Moe.
Keats’ Seasonal Poetry
Q: In an 1819 poem, which season is described as “a season of mist and mellow fruitfulness”?
A: Oliver Twist.
Correct: Autumn.
Setting of Cheers
Q: In which city is Cheers set?
A: America.
Correct: Boston.
Britain’s 10-Year National Survey
Q: What national survey has been held every 10 years since 1801?
A: Long pause…
Humphrys eventually offered: “Census.”
The Final Score
With all that said and done, Panesar wrapped up the general knowledge round with seven points—an effort that may not have won the quiz, but certainly earned a place in unforgettable TV moments.
What Comes After the Laughs?
With his Mastermind clip making the rounds again, Panesar’s name is back in the headlines, adding an unexpected twist to the Ashes build-up once more.
So now the only question is: what surprises are left before the first ball is even bowled?
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