High-level discussions are underway to replace the controversial Snicko technology with the rival UltraEdge system for the pivotal fourth Ashes Test in Melbourne. The move comes after a series of contentious Decision Review System (DRS) calls marred the opening two days of the third Test in Adelaide, prompting frustration from players on both sides.
Mid-Series Switch on the Table
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has held talks with Cricket Australia about the possibility of a mid-series technological overhaul. In bilateral series, the home board is responsible for DRS technology, which is typically delegated to the primary broadcast rights holder. For this Ashes series, that is Fox Sports, which appointed tech company BBG Sports to operate the system using Snicko.
However, it has emerged that Cricket Australia's free-to-air broadcaster, Channel Seven, holds a separate contract with Hawk-Eye Innovations, the company behind the UltraEdge system used in England by Sky Sports. This provides a ready-made alternative should the authorities decide to act.
A Catalogue of Controversy in Adelaide
The push for change follows several high-profile incidents at the Adelaide Oval. On day two, Australian bowler Mitchell Starc was overheard on the stump microphone demanding Snicko be "sacked." His team was convinced England's Jamie Smith had gloved a catch to slip, though replays later indicated the ball may not have carried.
Smith was later given out on review off a Pat Cummins short ball, despite the audio spike from Snicko appearing out of sync with the visual evidence presented to the third umpire. This compounded the frustration from day one, where Australia's Alex Carey survived on 72 after an admitted operator error with Snicko created a misleading sound wave.
Pressure Mounts on Technology Providers
Cricket Australia's chief executive, Todd Greenberg, publicly expressed his dissatisfaction after the Carey incident, stating the technological fail-safe did not work and that was "not good enough." England took the matter to match referee Jeff Crowe, who restored the review they lost due to the error.
While the ECB is involved in discussions, the final decision rests with Cricket Australia and Fox. Any switch would require a financial settlement with BBG Sports. Hawk-Eye's UltraEdge is already used in Australia's Big Bash League, proving its local availability.
With the Boxing Day Test at the MCG looming, both boards are under pressure to ensure the integrity of the decision-making process is beyond reproach for the remainder of this fiercely contested Ashes series.
