Snicko Under Fire After Contentious Ashes Decisions
Australian cricket captain Pat Cummins has publicly questioned the reliability of the Snicko decision review system, following a series of controversial incidents that marred the third Ashes Test in Adelaide. The technology's inconsistency came under intense scrutiny during Australia's 82-run victory, a result that secured a 3-0 series lead and ensured the hosts retained the Ashes urn.
A Series of Controversial Moments
The flashpoint occurred when Australian wicketkeeper Alex Carey, then on 72, appeared to edge a delivery from England's Josh Tongue behind to counterpart Jamie Smith. Despite Carey later admitting he thought he had nicked it, the Real-Time Snicko software failed to align the audio and visual feeds correctly, showing a spike before the ball reached the bat. Carey was given not out and proceeded to score a century.
The incident prompted England to lodge an official complaint with the match referees, who later reinstated the tourists' lost review. The controversy deepened a day later when England's Jamie Smith was involved in two contentious reviews. The first led Australian bowler Mitchell Starc to angrily call for Snicko to be 'sacked'.
Smith was later given out after a review showed a Snicko spike a frame before the ball passed his bat, a decision that left the England keeper fuming as he departed the field, convinced he had not made contact.
Cummins and the Manufacturer Respond
After the match, Pat Cummins expressed his unease with the system's accuracy. 'The one here seems a little bit different to sometimes what you get overseas,' the Australian skipper stated. 'Yeah, it sometimes doesn't feel super-consistent. But you just crack on. Whatever the umpire says.'
In a significant admission, the company behind the technology, BBG Sports, accepted responsibility for the error in the Carey decision. A spokesperson attributed the mistake to the operator selecting the incorrect stump microphone for audio processing, confirming the company took full responsibility for the fault.
The revelation highlights a broader issue in international cricket, where the tools used vary by country based on broadcaster contracts. In the UK, Sky Sports employs Hawk-Eye's Ultra Edge, a system considered more advanced as it uses computer alignment. Snicko, still used in Australia and New Zealand, relies on manual syncing of sound and vision.
Victory Sealed Amidst the Furore
Despite the technological drama, Australia sealed their comprehensive victory on Sunday. England had mounted a spirited fightback on day four through a 91-run partnership between Jamie Smith and Will Jacks, but Mitchell Starc's late three-wicket haul secured the win.
Reflecting on the series, Cummins noted that England's 'Bazball' approach appeared more conservative in Adelaide, which he saw as a testament to his team's pressure. 'They seem to have changed their style quite a bit game to game,' he observed, suggesting the tourists were searching for a method that worked in Australian conditions.
The focus now shifts to the remaining Tests in Melbourne and Sydney, with the integrity of the Decision Review System firmly in the spotlight.
