'I was lucky': Steve Smith admits to nicking Hasan Mahmud's delivery which was given not out on Day 1 of 1st Test originally appeared on Cricket News. Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here. KEY TAKEAWAYS:
Steve Smith admitted edging Ebadot Hossain despite a not-out DRS ruling. Australia batter also survived a dropped catch before scoring 71. Hasan Mahmud claimed a career-best 6/55 as Bangladesh dismissed Australia for under 200.
Steve Smith confesses to lucky escape during Darwin Test against Bangladesh Steve Smith admitted he believed he had edged the ball during a caught-behind appeal against Ebadot Hossain on day one of the first Test against Bangladesh at Marrara Stadium in Darwin on Thursday. However, the review technology ruled the decision in his favour, and the batsman survived a close call. The incident occurred in the 21st over, with Smith batting on just seven runs at the time. Ebadot bowled a full delivery around the fifth-stump line, drawing Smith into a tentative poke outside off stump. The ball carried through to wicketkeeper Litton Das, prompting a strong appeal from Bangladesh, though umpire Kumar Dharmasena remained unconvinced and turned it down. Bangladesh opted to review the on-field call, as they were confident that Smith had edged the delivery. Smith himself had already begun walking toward the pavilion, seemingly resigned to the dismissal. But Real Time Snicko failed to detect any spike as the ball passed his bat. The original not-out decision was subsequently upheld, and that cost Bangladesh one of their two reviews for the innings. MORE: How to watch AUS vs BAN Test series 2026 live: Start time, TV channels and streaming details as Australian quartet reunite Smith admits he expected to be given out During the post-match press conference, Smith didn't shy away from acknowledging what he believed had actually happened. When asked directly whether he thought he had made contact with the ball, he responded affirmatively. “I think so. Yeah,” Smith said. When pressed on whether he considered himself fortunate to survive the review, Smith agreed. “I was lucky? Yeah, it seems that way. Yeah. You got to take it sometimes,” Smith said. When further probed on whether players need to place full trust in technology during these moments, Smith explained that DRS is generally reliable, though he remained uncertain about what exactly happened in this instance. “Normally, it’s pretty good. Yeah, maybe I didn’t nick it. I don’t know, but I certainly felt something. If I had been given out, I was going to walk off. But yeah, technology saved me today, I guess,” he said. That let-off proved significant, as Smith went on to compile 71 runs, the highest individual score in Australia's innings. Bangladesh eventually bowled the hosts out for 198, thanks to fast bowler Hasan Mahmud, who starred with a career-best haul of six wickets.
"Did you nick that?" "I think so, yeah." Watch Steve Smith's full press conference after day one of #AUSvBAN: https://t.co/UPFVhNe5IIpic.twitter.com/hzoOHz4xVR — cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) August 13, 2026 MORE: Pat Cummins gives blunt response on England's future after Australia credited with killing Bazball Dropped catch offered Smith another lifeline The caught-behind controversy wasn't Smith's only slice of fortune during his innings. Earlier on, he had already survived a dropped chance at third slip, thanks to the slippery hands of Tanzid Hasan Tamim. It was a thick edge, but despite getting both hands to the opportunity, Tamim failed to hold on. Smith was on just two runs at that stage, which left Bangladesh to rue a costly missed opportunity. Smith made the most of both escapes, gradually building his innings and eventually reaching a well-constructed half-century, which was the 45th of his Test career. Hasan Mahmud got his wicket when he danced down the pitch to a shortish delivery outside off and attempted an ambitious upper cut. Extra bounce off the surface caused him to mishit the shot straight into the slip cordon, where Litton Das completed the catch. MORE: Gambhir's fate as India Test head coach revealed based on each IND vs SL Test series result Why Smith's honesty deserves credit Plenty of players these days play dumb or argue with umpiring calls even when the replay makes it obvious what actually happened. Smith doing the opposite, just owning up to the nick, is the kind of honesty you don't see much of anymore. He could've easily kept quiet and moved on, especially with his 71 turning out to be such a big part of Australia's total. That he didn't says something about the kind of sportsman he is, a quality that feels harder to find in top-level cricket these days. That said, his comments also indirectly highlight DRS' unreliability. If Smith felt he had made contact but technology showed nothing, it raises legitimate concerns about Snicko's sensitivity in marginal cases. Bangladesh will understandably feel aggrieved, having lost a review on a decision that even the batter himself later conceded should likely have gone against him. For all the latest cricket news, opinion and commentary and to share your voice head to our Facebook, Instagram and X (Twitter) pages.