Mr Cricket UAE

AUS vs BAN: Steve Smith admits being lucky after surviving DRS call on Day 1 in Darwin

Share
Steve Smith (Source: X@cricketcomau)

Steve Smith (Source: X@cricketcomau)

Mr Cricket UAE Staff

Mr Cricket UAE Staff

Published - 13 Aug 2026, 04:01 PM Read time - 2 mins

Star Australia batter Steve Smith has admitted that he was lucky to survive a DRS call on the opening day of the first Test against Bangladesh on Thursday, August 13, at Marrara Cricket Ground, Darwin. Smith was batting on seven when he poked his bat at a wide delivery from Ebadot Hossain, which went straight to wicketkeeper Litton Das.

Both Das and Hossain went up for an appeal, but umpire Kumar Dharamasena was unmoved, prompting captain Najmul Hossain Shanto to opt for DRS. Smith had almost started walking, but much to his good fortune, there was no spike shown on snicko on replays.

When asked about whether he had edged the ball after the close of play on Day 1, the Australia batter admitted that he was lucky to survive and technology saved him.

"I think so, yeah. I was lucky? Yeah, it seems that way. You got to take it sometimes. Normally, it's [the technology] pretty good. Maybe I didn't nick it. I don't know. But I certainly felt something. If I'd get being given out, I was going to walk off. But yeah, technology saved me today, I guess,” Smith said at the press conference at the end of the day’s play.

The Ashes 2025-26 was also marked by many controversies surrounding the Real-Time Snicko technology used in Australia as part of the DRS package. However, those incidents were largely due to the images and audio spikes not being in sync, rather than a flat line as the one seen in Smith’s case.

Australia bundled out for 198

Smith made full use of his reprieve as he went on to score the only half-century from Australia in the innings, playing a brilliant innings of 71 (109), laced with seven fours and a six. Australia were bundled out for 198 in their first innings after captain Pat Cummins won the toss and opted to bat first. 

Hasan Mahmud delivered a career-best performance for Bangladesh, picking up his third five-wicket haul, registering figures of 6/55 in 17 overs. In reply, the visitors finished the day in a strong position of 96/1 after 24 overs with Tanzid Hasan Tamim (32*) and Mominul Haque (35*) at the crease, trailing Australia by 102 runs in the first innings.