Australian batter Steve Smith was warned by the on-field umpires on day one of the second Test in Mackay after encouraging Bangladesh to review an unsuccessful LBW appeal. Smith appeared to engage in on-field mind games with the visiting fielders before the officials stepped in and asked him to stop.
Australia took the first-innings lead at the Great Barrier Reef Arena on Saturday, August 22. After winning the toss, Mitchell Starc took a six-wicket haul as Bangladesh bowled out for just 64 runs in 37 overs. Shoriful Islam created history by becoming the first No. 11 batter to top-score against Australia in Tests.
Steve Smith Dares Bangladesh to Review LBW Appeal as Umpires Step In
The incident occurred in the ninth over of Australia's first innings when Taskin Ahmed struck Steve Smith on the pad and Bangladesh appealed for LBW. Umpire Nitin Menon turned down the appeal, but Taskin remained convinced and urged captain Najmul Hossain Shanto to consider a DRS review.
Smith then joined the discussion as Bangladesh players gathered to decide whether to use their review. The Australian batter could be heard telling the fielders that he was well down the pitch and that the ball was likely to miss the stumps.
"I'm halfway down the wicket to him, it's going miles over," Smith said before adding, "Go for it." Shanto eventually decided against the review, but Smith's intervention caught the attention of both on-field umpires.
Nitin Menon and his colleague walked towards Smith and spoke to him about his involvement in Bangladesh's review discussion. Smith nodded during the exchange and appeared surprised by the warning before play resumed.
— Markie (@Markie49SSAlt) August 22, 2026
Australia Rebuild After Early Top-Order Setback
Australia's first innings began with early setbacks. Taskin Ahmed removed Matthew Renshaw for 8 before left-arm pacer Shoriful Islam dismissed Travis Head for 22 and Marnus Labuschagne for 4.
Head was dismissed after chopping the ball onto his stumps for the third consecutive time in the two-match Test series. Labuschagne suffered an unusual dismissal when the ball deflected off his thigh pad and hit the leg stump.
Australia reached 50/3 at tea, still 14 runs behind Bangladesh's first-innings total of 64. Smith remained unbeaten on 6 alongside Cameron Green, who was 1* at the break.
Bangladesh's collapse had earlier given Australia the perfect opportunity to take control of the second Test. Mitchell Starc claimed 6/12 as the visitors were bowled out in just 34 overs, and Australia will now look to build a sizeable first-innings lead and level the series.
Steve Smith's DRS Mind Games With Bangladesh Continue From Darwin
During the first Test in Darwin, Ebadot Hossain had an LBW appeal against Steve Smith turned down. As Bangladesh considered using their final review, Smith was heard questioning the decision.
"Knee roll you reckon? It was up here you peanut! What game are you watching?" Steve Smith said. Bangladesh decided not to review the call, and replays later showed the delivery was going over the stumps. Smith went on to score 71 in Australia's first innings.
Smith was involved in another exchange during Australia's second innings in Darwin. After Bangladesh appealed for a caught-behind decision off Taijul Islam and the umpire ruled Smith not out, the Australian batter urged them to review the call.
"Use it. Go on. Do it. Go on, use it... Waste another one," Smith was heard saying. The exchange led to a response from wicketkeeper Litton Das, who told Smith to focus on his batting.
