"Technology saved me today": Steve Smith admits he nicked ball after surviving DRS scare against Bangladesh
Darwin, August 13
Australia batter Steve Smith admitted he was fortunate to remain unbeaten after surviving a caught-behind DRS review during the opening day of the first Test against Bangladesh in Darwin on Thursday.
Smith was on seven when Bangladesh appealed for a catch behind the wicket off Ebadot Hossain. On-field umpire Kumar Dharmasena turned down the appeal, but Bangladesh opted for the Decision Review System. The review found no conclusive evidence of an edge and the original not-out decision was upheld.
Smith, who eventually top-scored for Australia with 71 off 109 balls, acknowledged after the day's play that he believed he had made contact with the delivery.
"I think so, yeah," said Smith when asked if he nicked the ball, according to a video posted by cricket.com.au on X.
"I was lucky? Yeah, it seems that way. You got to take it sometimes," he added.
Asked whether he could trust the technology after the review failed to overturn the on-field decision, Smith said, "Normally it's pretty good. Maybe I didn't nick it. I don't know, but I certainly felt something. If I'd been given out, I was going to walk off. But, yeah, technology saved me today, I guess."
Smith's reprieve proved significant as he went on to make Australia's highest score in a difficult opening day for the hosts.
Bangladesh's fast bowlers made the most of the conditions to bowl Australia out for 198 in 53 overs, with Hasan Mahmud claiming six wickets while Ebadot Hossain and Taskin Ahmed took two each.
Opener Jake Weatherald's 23 was Australia's second-highest score behind Smith, who provided crucial resistance in an innings where the rest of the batting order struggled.
Bangladesh, playing their first Test in Australia since 2003, finished the day in a strong position at 96 for one. Tanzid Hasan Tamim was unbeaten on 32, while Mominul Haque was 35 not out at stumps.
The visitors will resume on the second day with a 102-run deficit and nine wickets in hand, having made an impressive start against an Australian side featuring a strong batting lineup.
For Smith, however, the day's biggest talking point came from the moment when technology gave him a second chance -- one he made full use of by converting his reprieve into a valuable half-century.
— ANI
Reader Comments
The honesty from Smith is refreshing - "I certainly felt something". As an Indian fan who's seen our team get the rough end of DRS decisions many times, I appreciate a player admitting when they got lucky. That said, 71 was crucial for Australia on a tough day. Bangladesh look dangerous!
Wait, so Smith basically admitted he nicked it but got away because the technology couldn't detect it? That's a flaw in the system right there. If the batsman himself says he hit it, shouldn't that be enough evidence? Bangladesh must be gutted. Hasan Mahmud with 6 wickets deserves more credit than Smith's half-century honestly.
Great to see Bangladesh competing well in Australia after 20 years! 🇧🇩 The fast bowlers exploiting conditions shows how far they've come. And Smith being honest - kudos. Better than those who never admit their luck. But man, DRS has its limits - if the batsman feels contact and the technology can't prove it, there's a gap. Maybe Snicko needs an upgrade?
As someone who watches lots of cricket, I've seen this happen plenty of times. The system relies on what the mic picks up, and sometimes thin edges just don't register. Smith said he'd have walked if given out - that's sportsmanship at least. But the real story here is Bangladesh's bowling attack. Hasan Mahmud taking 6 wickets in Australia is no small feat! India should take notes on how to exploit conditions abroad.
Honestly, this kind of luck is why Smith has such a great average. 😄 But joke aside, credit to
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