Australian superstar Steve Smith has survived an almighty scare during the opening session of the first Test against Bangladesh after appearing to walk off, only to be given a reprieve.
The Aussies limped to 4-74 during a dramatic start to the Test in Darwin, but the tourists could have easily had five wickets before lunch.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Steve Smith survives controversial caught-behind appeal
Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today
Smith was facing Ebadot Hossain in the 21st over when he appeared to edge one through to the keeper.
The Bangladeshis celebrated wildly but umpire Kumar Dharmasena was unmoved. The tourists quickly called for a review expecting the DRS to confirm an edge.
As the review process began, Smith seemingly started to walk off in a massive hint that he thought he nicked it.
But the UltraEdge showed no spike and the original not out decision stood.
“Smith’s 20m out to mid-wicket as we watch this from side on,” Tim Lane said on Channel 7.
“Smith was walking. Now he’s come back because he senses there might be a chance for a reprieve.
“Smudge by name, no smudge by nature. Steve Smith survives when it seems readily apparent that he knew he’d nicked it. His second reprieve, put down in the slip cordon.
“It does raise an interesting question as to whether, if a batsman portrays that he thinks he nicked it. Are the umpires entitled to take that into account? It was tantamount to walking.
“Smith gave every indication he thought he was out, but the umpiring team didn’t see it that way.”
WATCH Australia v Bangladesh live and free on Seven and 7plus Sport
Ebadot looked on in disbelief as the tourists were left with just one review after earlier burning one an LBW call.
Former Australian opener Matthew Hayden said technology continues to “confuse”.
“That’s why this technology … I personally think that it’s created a lot of confusion in the game, but we’ve got two of the world class umpires that are adjudicating this, and Richard Illingworth and Dharmasena, both former wonderful players in their own right,” he said on Channel 7.
“And you have to commend the fact that he hasn’t made the wrong decision.
“Smith’s reaction is surprising, even if a close one, you would think that you’d stand your own ground.
“And I can tell you firsthand when you’re standing out there and you’re concentrating on hitting the ball, not nicking it. There are times where you just don’t know. So why walk off?
“You can see there’s a confident appeal there. That’s often a very good sign of of the dismissal. And then you see him just rattling out towards square legs where the dugout is for these change rooms up here in Darwin.”
Australia did lose another wicket shortly after with Cameron Green dismissed for 13 to leave the hosts 4-74 at lunch.
Green joined fellow under-pressure teammates Jake Weatherald and Marnus Labuschagne in losing their wickets during a shock start to the Test.
Bangladesh pace trio Taskin Ahmed, Ebadot and Hasan Mahmud bowled superbly after Australia captain Pat Cummins won the toss and elected to bat first in Darwin on Thursday.
Weatherald had an opportunity to enhance his chances of staying in the top order in front of a partisan crowd in Darwin, the city of his birth, but was unable to make the most of a start in the opening Test at Marrara Stadium.
It was no surprise when the 31-year-old edged impressive paceman Hasan on the cusp of drinks to bring an end to a scratchy 23 off 37 deliveries.
Opening partner Travis Head (22) followed soon after, chopping on to Hasan when he went around the wicket.
Ebadot had Labuschagne (1) edging to captain Najmul Hossain Shanto with an indecisive poke as his drought without scoring a Test century extended to 37 innings.
Ebadot should have claimed the prize scalp of Smith on two when he was dropped by Tanzid Hasan at third slip.
A horror shot by allrounder Green (13) on the stroke of lunch went straight to mid-wicket to put Bangladesh on top.
Weatherald was unconvincing early after making an adjustment to his set-up at the crease.
Hasan, 26, found a good length and movement to have Weatherald playing and missing.
Weatherald scored just 201 runs at at average of 22.3 in last summer’s Ashes and had a technical issue, with his head positioned outside off stump and a tendency to fall over even further.
He adjusted that so that his head was more aligned above the stumps, but his wickets were also exposed on occasions due to his adjusted stance.
An off-drive for four off Hasan was a moment of promise, followed by a cracking cover drive, but the next ill-advised flash proved his undoing.
Cummins had no hesitation in opting to bat when he won the toss, but the decision suited Bangladesh captain Shanto, who liked the look of the surface.
“I think it is a good opportunity for the bowlers,” he said.
“It looks a little green with a bit of moisture, so early on there will be some movement.”
That assessment proved correct.
The Test is the first played at the venue since 2004 and just the third in Darwin history after Bangladesh were the first visiting side in 2003.
— with AAP
