Australia’s miserable first day against Bangladesh had a touch of humour from the home crowd, as one fan hilariously took aim at Steve Smith after the Australian batter held up play over movement around the sight-screen.
The incident took place during Australia’s first innings in the opening Test in Darwin, where Smith was playing a crucial role in trying to rescue the hosts after Bangladesh’s fast bowlers had ripped through their top order.
Smith appeared irritated by movement around the sight-screen and waited for the issue to be sorted before continuing his innings. One fan in the crowd, however, was clearly unimpressed with the delay and decided to let the former Australia captain know about it.
“Just hit the damn thing, Smudge. Stop being a princess. You are not bigger than the game, Steve, deal with it,” the fan was heard saying on the broadcast.
The remark quickly became one of the lighter moments of a difficult day for the Australian team, with the Darwin crowd enjoying its first Test match in more than 20 years.
BANGLADESH DOMINATE AUSTRALIA ON DAY 1
There was little else for the home supporters to celebrate as Bangladesh’s pace attack dominated the opening day of the Test.
Playing their first Test in Australia in 23 years, Bangladesh bowled the hosts out for just 198 in 53 overs. Hasan Mahmud was the star of the show, claiming a career-best 6/55 as the visitors made the most of the helpful conditions at the Top End.
Australia had raced to 45 without loss after Pat Cummins won the toss and elected to bat, but Hasan changed the complexion of the innings in his sixth and seventh overs.
AUS vs BAN 1st Test Day 1: Updates
Darwin-born opener Jake Weatherald was dismissed for 23 after swiping at a wide delivery from Hasan, before Travis Head chopped on in the following over to leave Australia 52/2.
Marnus Labuschagne and Cameron Green failed to steady the innings, leaving Smith to once again shoulder much of the responsibility.
The former captain top-scored with 71 off 109 balls, but ran out of partners as Bangladesh continued to find edges and force mistakes.
Smith eventually became Hasan’s sixth victim in the 51st over. Looking to attack through the covers, he came down the track but was surprised by a short delivery, top-edging the ball to bring up Australia’s ninth wicket.
Australia were eventually dismissed for 198, their lowest total in seven Tests against Bangladesh.
For Hasan, the six-wicket haul was the third-best innings return by a Bangladesh fast bowler in Test cricket, behind Shahadat Hossain’s 6/27 and Ebadot Hossain’s 6/46.
– Ends
