‘Technology saved me today’: Steve Smith admits he edged the ball but chose not to walk off

Australia’s veteran batter Steve Smith had a few early reprieves in his innings on Day 1 of the first Test against Bangladesh at Marrara Cricket Ground, Darwin. Smith’s catch was dropped early in the slip cordon by Tanzid Hasan Tamim. Then, he nicked one off to the wicketkeeper Litton Das off Ebadot Hossain. He was almost walking off the field when Bangladesh captain Najmal Hossain Shanto opted for a review but the ultraedge (edge detection technology) showed there was no underedge. After Day 1’s play, Smith was asked whether he had edged it. He admitted it and thanked the technology for a lucky break.

“I think so, yeah,” Smith said when asked about the edge. 

“Was I lucky? Yeah, it seems that way. You've got to take it sometimes.”

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Smith was also asked whether he has trust in the technology which has been under the scanner of late.  

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“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. Technology saved me today, I guess,” he added.

Smith gets Australia close to 200

Smith was batting on seven runs from 23 balls when the DRS went his way late into the first session. In the second session, he lost partners on the other end but went on to score his 45th half-century in Tests. he took 76 balls to reach the milestone.

After the second session, Smith couldn't occupy the crease for long. He miscued an upper cut of Hasan Mahmud's bowling and wicketkeeper Das completed an easy catch. He departed after scoring 71 runs from 109 balls. His knock featured seven fours and a six.

Bangladesh batters frustrate Aussie bowlers after Mahmud’s 6-fer

But, apart from Smith, no Australian batter could make an impact as Mahmud bagged a six-wicket haul, the first for a Bangladesh bowler on Australian soil. Australia ended up getting bowled out for 198 in 53 overs.

Australia also erred in the catching department. Nathan Lyon dropped Tanzid Hasan Tamim's catch early in Josh Hazlewood's new-ball spell. The only wicket was taken by Mitchell Starc, removing Shadman Islam. Tanzid remained unbeaten for 32 with Mominul Haque batting on another with 35 runs to his name. Bangladesh posted 96/1 from 24 overs, trailing by 102 runs at the end of Day 1's play.