[WATCH] AUS vs BAN 2026: Mitchell Starc fumes at Mehidy Hasan Miraz over pitch-running incident

An on-field confrontation between Mitchell Starc and Mehidy Hasan Miraz became one of the main talking points on Day 2 of the 1st Test between Australia and Bangladesh at Marrara Cricket Ground in Darwin on August 14, 2026.

The incident took place during Starc's 21st over of Bangladesh's first innings. Mehidy nudged a delivery on the off side and set off for a quick single. Starc's follow-through ran along the same line, and Mehidy changed direction and ran across the centre of the pitch, which is a protected area under the Laws of Cricket. Umpire Kumar Dharmasena stepped in and issued a warning to Mehidy for running on the protected area.

Mehidy offered his defence to the umpire, saying, 'He is in the pathway'. Starc was visibly unhappy with that explanation and responded sharply, 'It's my follow-through, not yours. Get off the wicket'.

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What sparked the Starc and Mehidy confrontation?

The confrontation involved two players with contrasting roles in their respective XIs. Mehidy bats at No. 7 for Bangladesh in this match and was at the crease as part of an unbroken seventh-wicket stand of 43 runs alongside Hasan Mahmud, which carried Bangladesh to stumps.

Bangladesh had a strong Day 2 overall. Australia were dismissed for 198 on Day 1. By stumps on Day 2, Bangladesh had reached 351 for 6, taking a first-innings lead of 153 runs. That lead is only the second time Australia have conceded a first-innings deficit of more than 150 runs to Bangladesh, the previous occasion came in 2006 when Bangladesh led by 158 runs.

Bangladesh's Day 2 batting performance

Tanzid Hasan was the standout batter on the day, scoring his first Test century in only his second Test appearance. He batted for more than five hours, faced 197 balls and struck 8 fours and 1 six. Key partnerships included a 102-run second-wicket stand between Tanzid and Mominul Haque, a 93-run third-wicket stand between Tanzid and Najmul Hossain Shanto, and a 66-run stand between Shanto and Mushfiqur Rahim.

Bangladesh were without fast bowlers Nahid Rana and Shoriful Islam for this match, though Shoriful has since been declared fit for the 2nd Test. Litton Das returned to the XI after missing Bangladesh's previous Test against Zimbabwe due to a calf injury. The two sides meet again at Great Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay from August 22 to 26, 2026, with the series forming part of the ICC World Test Championship cycle.