Steven Smith Survives DRS Review to Score 71 Against Bangladesh

In the opening session of the first day in Darwin, Steven Smith thought he had edged a ball from Ebadot Hossain, but the Decision Review System (DRS) showed a flat line, allowing him to continue and ultimately score Australia’s only substantial innings of 71. In the 21st over, just before lunch, Smith played a shot at an Ebadot delivery, prompting Bangladesh to celebrate. However, umpire Kumar Dharmasena ruled not out. Following a review called by Najmul Hossain Shanto, the replay revealed no spike, and Smith remained at the crease.

When asked if he had nicked the ball, Smith admitted, “I think so, yeah. I was lucky? Yeah, it seems that way. You got to take it sometimes.” He noted the previous controversies around the Real-Time Snicko technology used during last season’s Ashes series, stating, “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’s innings had an unusual start; he described forgetting how to hold the bat for his first 30 balls, after being given a lifeline on 2 when Tanzid Hasan dropped him at third slip. Nevertheless, he settled into his performance and was the standout Australian batter as the team collapsed for a total of 198 runs.

Smith eventually became Hasan Mahmud’s fifth wicket, attempting a shot with Nathan Lyon at the other end. Bangladesh remains the only Test nation against which Smith has not scored a century, although this was just their third encounter.

Special Credits: Image Courtesy of Espn