Mitchell Starc and Mehidy Hasan Miraz became embroiled in a heated exchange during the closing stages of the second day of the first Test between Australia and Bangladesh in Darwin on Friday. The confrontation began after Mehidy ran through the protected central section of the pitch while completing a hurried single during the 103rd over of Bangladesh’s first innings. Starc, already frustrated by Australia’s increasingly difficult position in the match, objected sharply to the batter’s running line.
The incident occurred during the fifth delivery of Starc’s 21st over. Mehidy played the ball towards point and set off for a single, but became occupied with watching the fielder. When he looked forward again, Starc was standing close to his direct route after completing his follow-through. The two players came close to colliding before Mehidy continued through the middle of the pitch.
Starc’s remark captured by stump microphone
Umpire Kumar Dharmasena immediately approached Mehidy and appeared to warn him about entering the protected area. Footage published by Cricket Australia captured Starc telling the Bangladesh all-rounder: “It’s my follow-through, not your follow-through. Get off the wicket.”
Mehidy gestured towards Starc and repeatedly explained to Dharmasena that he had been watching the ball and had not seen the fast bowler in his path. Dharmasena intervened before the exchange could escalate. There was no confirmed physical contact between the two players, while the completed single was allowed to stand. No penalty was imposed on Mehidy.
Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting, who was on commentary, did not believe Mehidy had deliberately run through the protected section. Ponting observed that the batter had been watching the ball and, upon looking forward, found Starc occupying the space in front of him.
Under the Laws of Cricket, a batter can be warned for causing deliberate or avoidable damage to the protected area of the pitch. After a first-and-final warning, another infringement during the same innings can lead to the runs being disallowed and five penalty runs being awarded to the fielding team.
It has not yet been confirmed whether Dharmasena’s intervention constituted a formal warning under the relevant law. Neither player had publicly addressed the confrontation by the close of play, while no disciplinary action had been announced.
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The incident came amid a deeply frustrating day for Australia. After being dismissed for 198 on the opening day, the hosts watched Bangladesh reach 351 for six and establish a commanding first-innings lead of 153 runs. Tanzid Hasan struck a maiden Test century, making 101 in only his second appearance, while Najmul Hossain Shanto contributed 84 and Mominul Haque scored 49.
Australia briefly revived their hopes with three wickets after taking the second new ball, but Mehidy and Hasan Mahmud then frustrated the bowlers with an unbroken 43-run seventh-wicket partnership. Mehidy finished unbeaten on 32, while Hasan remained 13 not out after facing 76 deliveries. Australia’s misery was compounded when Cameron Green dropped Mehidy at gully from the final ball of the day.