Mitchell Starc delivered a blunt verdict on decision-review technology after Snicko once again became the centre of attention during the third Ashes Test in Adelaide, describing it as the “worst technology ever” following a series of controversial calls on Day 2. The debate around Snicko had already been raging since the opening day, sparked by a major moment involving Alex Carey. The Australia wicketkeeper survived a strong caught-behind appeal on 72 despite replays showing a noticeable spike. However, the sound appeared to register well before the ball reached the bat, leading third umpire Chris Gaffaney to conclude there was a “clear gap” between bat and ball. Carey went on to capitalise fully, scoring his maiden Ashes century and shaping Australia’s innings.
Questions over the technology resurfaced on Day 2, with England batter Jamie Smith finding himself at the heart of two close decisions in quick succession. In the 44th over, Pat Cummins appeared to glove Smith, with Usman Khawaja completing the catch at slip. With doubts over whether the ball had carried, on-field umpire Nitin Menon referred the decision upstairs. Despite Smith’s glove visibly moving, Snicko showed no spike, and Gaffaney ruled the ball had brushed Smith’s helmet instead, allowing him to continue. The ruling prompted an immediate and audible reaction from Starc, whose frustration was caught on the stump microphone. “Snicko needs to be sacked. It’s the worst technology ever,” Starc said. Confusion deepened just two overs later. Smith attempted a pull shot off Cummins and was caught behind by Carey, with Menon again sending the decision upstairs without a player review. This time, Snicko produced a spike a frame after the ball passed the bat, which was deemed enough evidence to overturn the on-field call and give Smith out, further fuelling questions over the system’s reliability. Carey had already admitted after Day 1 that he felt he may have edged the ball during his own reprieve, even though the technology failed to confirm it. “I thought there was a bit of a feather or some sort of noise when it passed the bat. It looked a bit funny on the replay, didn’t it, with the noise coming early?” Carey said. “If I were given out, I think I would have reviewed it — probably not confidently though. It was a nice sound as it passed the bat.” The wicketkeeper also made it clear he would not have walked, pointing to the technology’s verdict. “Snicko obviously didn’t line up, did it? That’s just the way cricket goes sometimes. You have a bit of luck, and maybe it went my way today.” BBG Sports, the company responsible for providing Snicko technology in Australian Tests, later acknowledged fault in Carey’s incident. Founder Warren Brennan explained that the error was likely due to the incorrect audio feed being used, adding another layer to a growing controversy that has overshadowed the Adelaide Test.
