AUS vs BAN, 1st Test: Mitchell Starc Confronts Mehidy Hasan Over Pitch-Running Dispute in Darwin (WATCH)

During the first Test between Australia and Bangladesh, Mitchell Starc and Mehidy Hasan Miraz had a heated exchange after Miraz ran on the protected area of the pitch. The confrontation, where Starc told Miraz to "get off the wicket," required umpire intervention and sparked divided reactions among fans.

Australia pacer Mitchell Starc and Bangladesh all-rounder Mehidy Hasan Miraz were involved in a heated exchange on Day 2 of the ongoing 1st Test of the two-match series at Marrara Cricket Ground in Darwin on Friday, August 14.

Bangladesh were in a commanding position at the end of Day 2, as they posted a total of 351/6 in 110 overs, with Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Hasan Mahmud batting on 32 and 13, respectively, and leading by 153 runs, after bowling Australia out for just 198 on the opening day. Tanzid Hasan Tamim (101) and skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto (84) headlined Bangladesh’s dominant batting display.

For Australia, Mitchell Starc (2/68) and Josh Hazlewood (2/68) were the pick of the bowlers, claiming two wickets each, while skipper Pat Cummins (1/50) and Nathan Lyon (1/92) chipped in with a wicket apiece to try and curb the run flow.

Starc and Mehidy’s Heated Exchange Goes Viral

As Bangladesh stepped on the gas to build a massive first-innings lead and Australia were staring at defeat in thecDarwin Test, the tensions flared between Mitchell Starc and Mehidy Hasan Miraz. The incident took place in the 103rd over of Bangladesh’s first innings batting when Miraz unintentionally landed on the protected area of the pitch.

Mehidy Hasan Miraz was set off for a quick single when he collided into Starc's follow-through path, prompting a sharp reaction from the veteran Australian pacer, who was visibly frustrated as he confronted the Bangladesh all-rounder and warned him to get off the wicket while returning to his run-up.

"It's my follow-through, not your follow-through. Get off the wicket." Starc was heard saying to Mehidy.

"Get off the wicket!"

Mitchell Starc and Mehidy Hassan Miraz had a heated exchange in #AUSvBAN: https://t.co/854LsTds7l pic.twitter.com/fTJtsn4px8

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) August 14, 2026

Mitchell Starc and Mehidy Hasan Miraz had to be separated by on-field umpire Kumar Dharmasena, who stepped in quickly to defuse the tension before the war of words could escalate further.

Since Australia are in a position where they face a tough uphill battle to save the match, the incident captured the boiling frustration of a difficult home Test series against a dominant visiting side, who are aiming for the first Test win on Australian soil and the overall second win against Australia.

Fans Divided Over Starc-Mehidy Pitch-Running Exchange

The heated confrontation between Mitchell Starc and Mehidy Hasan Miraz over the pitch-running incident quickly went viral on social media, especially X (formerly Twitter), with fans divided over who was at fault.

Taking to their X handles, several fans and cricket enthusiasts backed Starc’s reaction, stating that Mehidy should have avoided running through the protected area of the pitch, while some others criticised the Australian pacer, arguing that the umpire should have warned Mehidy about the infringement.

However, others questioned whether Mehidy had any practical alternative while completing the run, with some pointing out that Australian batters had also previously run through the protected area without facing similar criticism.

It is umpire’ job to warn batsmen if they go against the rule. Starc of course is above all this. And then to pass snarky comments about another country just shows that he was frustrated with how game was going. Typical Aussie behaviour TBH

— Abhishek (@abhistiwari) August 14, 2026

Common sight, whenever Aussies feel under pressure in a game they misbehave or sledge.

— Blue Bayou (@me_mohsin) August 14, 2026

Where’s he supposed to run? All the way around Starc and get run out? And what about Marnus following through all over the danger area when he was bowling?! Umpire didn’t say a peep.

— Arkers (@Thelandofark) August 14, 2026

Are batsmen allowed to run down the wicket in the business area now? Starc has a point, Mehidy being a sly spinner here, bit of roughing up going on here.

— carl widdows (@CarlWiddows) August 14, 2026

Little glimpse ✨️ of old STATRCYYYY

but these are tactics to put pressure 😆

— $id 00 (@rockstar_intown) August 14, 2026

And as expected the nice bloke gimmick disappears as soon as they’re losing 🤣🤣🤣 https://t.co/hXjDOZxjZ5

— Will (@WillB_2003) August 14, 2026

Where is he supposed to run then? https://t.co/B8QspfuDFV

— The Yorker Yapper (@ICT1907) August 14, 2026

Typical Aussies getting riled up when things don’t go their way. #AUSvBAN https://t.co/IzM3TclrWN

— Nikhil Ram (@Nikhil_Rams) August 14, 2026

Both in the wrong imo. Starc clearly trying to initiate something but Miraz should not have been on the wicket https://t.co/v0tryE0nPm

— . (@sbmx33) August 14, 2026

Australians having a whinge over something incredibly minor when things aren’t going their way. Imagine my shock. https://t.co/fImfwJGkZl

— Kie (@webbsyK83) August 14, 2026

Little glimpse ✨️ of old STATRCYYYY

but these are tactics to put pressure 😆

— $id 00 (@rockstar_intown) August 14, 2026

It's a lot of trouble for the Australian players, so they're using it like this.🤣🤣

— True (@BaruaSahul46554) August 14, 2026

Meanwhile, Mitchell Starc overtook Sri Lanka’s Rangana Herath and former India all-rounder Kapil Dev’s tallies of 433 and 434 wickets, respectively, to become the 11th leading wicket-taker with 435 wickets in the history of Test cricket.