David Warner was not impressed with Steve Smith’s gestures during Australia’s second innings in the ongoing first Test against Bangladesh on August 15, 2026. This game is being played in Darwin and saw Australia get out for 198 runs in the first innings after choosing to bat first.
Steve Smith was the top scorer for Australia with 71 runs, with 7 fours and one six. Bangladesh replied with 426 runs, thanks to 101 from Tanzid Hasan and half-centuries by captain Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mehidy Hasan Miraz.
In the second innings, Australia ended day three on 161/4 with Steve Smith making 44 runs and Cameron Green remaining unbeaten on 43 at stumps.
During Smith’s knock, an incident involving him left former Australia opener David Warner fuming in the commentary box.
On the opening delivery of the 14th over of Australia's second innings, the peculiar incident took place. Ebadot Hossain hit a full delivery outside off stump as the hosts were battling at 40/2, and Smith tried a strong drive.
Wicketkeeper Litton Das and Ebadot instantly celebrated as they heard a distinct sound as the ball passed the bat. When Smith gave the "T" signal to ask for a review, Dharmasena had just started to raise his finger in response to the appeal.
Watching the event from the commentary box, Warner was unimpressed by Smith's ability to successfully contest a decision before it had even been made.
“I just don’t like the way that Steve’s reacted there. You can’t do that,” Warner stated on a Fox Sports broadcast.
Brendon Julian, a fellow commentator, said that Smith was obviously aware that he had not won the delivery and called it one of the fastest evaluations he has seen. Warner, however, was still not pleased with Smith's response.
“I just don’t think you can do that!” the former Australian opener reiterated.
Kerry O'Keeffe emphasized the sequence's uniqueness as well, calling it a rare sight in the longest format.
“That is a unique moment in Test cricket that a batter has gone upstairs before the umpire has made a decision,” O’Keeffe said.
Smith was vindicated as replays showed that the audible noise heard by everyone had not come from the ball hitting the edge of the bat. Instead, Smith’s bat had struck the ground just as the ball passed his bat, while he completed the shot.
See here:
