Real-Time Snicko displayed a completely flat line as Smith got DRS reprieve on 7.
Australia’s star batter Steve Smith acknowledged that he was lucky to remain unbeaten after surviving a caught-behind DRS review during the opening day of the first Test against Bangladesh in Darwin on Thursday (August 13).
Smith was on 7 when Bangladesh appealed for a catch behind the wicket off Ebadot Hossain. Umpire Kumar Dharmasena ruled it not out, but the visitors opted for DRS. Real-Time Snicko displayed a completely flat line and the on-field decision was upheld.
Smith went on to top-score for Australia with a fighting 71 off 109 balls, making the most of his controversial technological reprieve.
Speaking after the day’s day, the veteran campaigner openly admitted that he believed he had nicked the ball.
"I think so, yeah," said Smith in the post-day press conference when asked if he made contact with the ball.
"I was lucky? Yeah, it seems that way. You got to take it sometimes," he added.
Smith was then asked whether a batter has to trust the technology in such circumstances. In response, he stated: “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.”
Prior to the DRS controversy, Steve Smith survived another early scare when he was dropped at third slip on just two runs by Tanzid Hasan off Ebadot.
Australia's batting order struggled heavily against a disciplined bowling performance by Bangladesh, causing them to collapse early in the series opener. The hosts were bowled out for 198 in 53 overs, with Hasan Mahmud claiming six wickets while Ebadot Hossain and Taskin Ahmed took two scalps each.
In reply, Bangladesh reached 96/1 at stumps, trailing by 102 runs. The tourists will look to capitalise on their strong position when play resumes on Friday morning.