Australian pacer Mitchell Starc got into a tussle with Mehidy Hasan on Day 2 of the first Test against Bangladesh. In the third session at Marrara Cricket Ground with Bangladesh well on top both these players exchanged sharp words after the batter ran through the protected area of the pitch while completing a quick single. The incident took place in the 103rd over of Bangladesh’s first innings during the fifth ball of Starc’s 21st over. 

Mehidy pushed a delivery towards point and set off for a run. Watching the ball he found himself almost running in the same line as the bowler who was still in his follow-through. Instead of going around the bowler, Mehidy took the shortest route to the crease which was straight through the middle of the wicket.

Umpire Kumar Dharmasena immediately stepped in to warn the Bangladesh player about running on the danger area. Mehidy gestured and explained that he had been focused on the ball and did not see Starc in his path. “I can’t see, I can’t see. I didn’t see,” he told the umpire. Starc was not having any of it. Clearly frustrated after he was wicket-less, he walked towards the batter and had clear words to the batter. “It’s my follow-through, not your follow-through. Get off the wicket,” he said, words clearly picked up by the stump microphones. As he walked back to his mark, he added “You’re not in Bangladesh now, hey?”

Bangladesh on top after Day 2 as Tanzid Hasan smashes century

The brief sledging never escalated into anything physical. Umpire Dharmasena kept things calm as he asked both players to move away and play continued. But this clip has gone viral on social media. Australia were bowled out for just 198 on the opening day. By the end of day two, Bangladesh had reached 351 for 6 leading by 153 runs with four wickets still in hand. Opener Tanzid Hasan’s century and solid half century from Shanto left the Australian bowling attack struggling under the Darwin sun.

Starc finished the day with 2 for 68 from his 21 overs. The fiery exchange with Mehidy captured became one of the talking points of an already memorable Test. Australia are on the backfoot and the left arm pacer clearly felt the heat having been on the field for an entire day. The third day will decide which way this match goes. Australia will look to wrap up the tail for as little as possible and need to bat big in the third innings. Day 2 belonged to Bangladesh opener Tanzid Hasan who smashed a memorable century. The visitors are playing a Test in this country after two decades and the first two days have been a very good spectacle.