‘You just bat’: Litton gives Smith a taste of Tigers' fight

An exchange between Steve Smith and Litton Das, picked up by Fox Cricket’s stump microphone on the third day of the Darwin Test, offered a glimpse into the fearless attitude that helped Bangladesh secure a historic nine-wicket victory over Australia.

With Smith trying to lead Australia’s resistance in the second innings, Bangladesh thought they had finally removed the former Australia captain when Taijul Islam appeared to find an edge down the leg side, with Litton taking the catch behind the stumps.

Tap here to add The Daily Star as a trusted source

The umpire was unmoved, however, and as Bangladesh considered whether to review the decision, Smith could be heard urging them to do so.

“Use it. Go on. Do it. Go on, use it,” Smith said.

“Waste another one. Do what you want. Do your thing.”

Litton, however, was having none of it.

As Bangladesh opted against the review, the wicketkeeper turned to Smith and said: “You bat. You just bat.”

“I’m batting,” Smith replied.

“Just bat,” Litton repeated.

“Na, I’ll do what I want,” Smith responded. “I can do what I want.”

The exchange ended with neither player backing down, but Litton and Bangladesh would have the final say.

Smith was eventually dismissed for 44, chipping a return catch to Mehidy Hasan Miraz as Australia’s resistance began to crumble.

Former Australia fast bowler Brendon Julian felt the exchange reflected Bangladesh’s determination not to be intimidated as they closed in on their first Test victory in Australia.

“I reckon Bangladesh were up for the contest here,” Julian said on Fox Cricket.

“There was a little bit of a confrontation. I think Steve Smith tried to get into the game with a little bit of confrontation.”

Former Australia opener David Warner was equally struck by the exchange and what followed.

“Once Litton Das had that little run-in with Steve Smith, they didn’t shut up for the rest of the innings. It was unbelievable,” Warner said.

“They believed in themselves. They were hungry.”

That belief was evident throughout the Test. Bangladesh bowled Australia out for 198 on the opening day, piled up 426 in their first innings and then dismissed the hosts for 284 before calmly chasing down 57 to seal their first Test victory on Australian soil.