AUS v BAN 2026: WATCH – “Go for it,” Steve Smith warned by umpires for interfering in Bangladesh’s review process

Television cameras showed Smith repeatedly gesturing and daring the visitors to challenge the on-field decision.

By Salman Anjum - 22 Aug, 2026

Veteran Australia batter Steve Smith was warned by the umpires after his heated, verbal Decision Review System (DRS) exchange with Bangladesh players on Day 1 of the second Test in Mackay.

During the ninth over of Australia’s first innings, a delivery from Bangladesh pacer Taskin Ahmed struck Smith on the pads. On-field umpire Nitin Menon rejected the loud LBW appeal.

As Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto discussed with the bowler whether to review, Smith joined in by saying, "I'm halfway down the wicket to him, it's going miles over... Go for it!"

Television cameras showed Smith repeatedly gesturing and daring the visitors to challenge the decision, prompting the match officials to immediately step in.

Menon and his partner Kumar Dharmasena pulled Smith aside to firmly warn that he must not interfere with or comment on the fielding team's review process. The Aussie star nodded during the conversation and seemed puzzled by the warning.

Meanwhile, the Bangladesh camp decided against using the review. Smith was eventually dismissed LBW later in the day by Shoriful Islam for 42.

Here’s the video:

 
 
 
 
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This confrontation follows a string of bizarre DRS incidents involving Smith during the series opener in Darwin, where Australian suffered a shocking nine-wicket defeat.

In the first Test, Smith survived a caught-behind review despite admitting post-match that he felt a nick, because "Snicko" technology failed to show a spike. Later in that match, he was caught on the stump microphone repeatedly mocking Litton Das to "use a review and waste another one," to which Bangladesh wicketkeeper sharply replied, "You bat. You just bat."

Smith also drew flak from former teammate David Warner for signaling a review before the umpire could even finish raising his finger to give him out.

By Salman Anjum - 22 Aug, 2026

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