Fan tells Steve Smith 'Stop being a princess' during Australia v Bangladesh first Test
A spectator taunted Steve Smith during Australia's first innings of the opening Test against Bangladesh in Darwin on August 13, 2026, after Smith delayed play over movement around the sight-screen. The fan was heard on the broadcast saying: "Just hit the damn thing, Smudge. Stop being a princess. You are not bigger than the game, Steve, deal with it."
The remark came amid a difficult first day for the hosts, with Smith attempting to steady the innings after Bangladesh's fast bowlers ripped through Australia's top order. Smith appeared irritated by movement around the sight-screen and waited for the issue to be sorted before resuming. The Darwin crowd were attending their first Test match in more than 20 years, and the exchange provided one of the lighter moments on an otherwise poor day for Australia.
Pat Cummins won the toss and elected to bat, and Australia reached 45 without loss before Hasan Mahmud began to change the course of the innings. Hasan altered the complexion of the hosts' start in his sixth and seventh overs, applying pressure with the new ball. Bangladesh's pace attack dominated the opening day of the Test.
Jake Weatherald was dismissed for 23 after swiping at a wide delivery from Hasan, and Travis Head chopped on in the following over to leave Australia 52/2. Marnus Labuschagne and Cameron Green failed to steady the innings, leaving Smith to shoulder much of the responsibility. Smith was playing a crucial role in trying to rescue the hosts as wickets continued to fall.
Smith top-scored with 71 off 109 balls but ran out of partners as Bangladesh continued to find edges and force mistakes. He became Hasan's sixth victim in the 51st over after coming down the track and being surprised by a short delivery that he top-edged to bring up Australia's ninth wicket. Australia were eventually dismissed for 198 in 53 overs, their lowest total in seven Tests against Bangladesh.
Hasan Mahmud finished with a career-best 6/55 as the visitors made the most of the helpful conditions at the Top End. Playing their first Test in Australia in 23 years, Bangladesh bowled the hosts out for just 198. The pace attack's performance was the principal factor in the visitors' control of the opening day.
For Hasan, the six-wicket haul was the third-best innings return by a Bangladesh fast bowler in Test cricket, behind Shahadat Hossain's 6/27 and Ebadot Hossain's 6/46. The spectator's taunt became one of the few moments of levity for the home supporters on a day dominated by Bangladesh's bowlers.
