ADELAIDE: A new controversy has arisen as Snicko (edge detection) technology was once again highly criticized in the third Ashes Test thus promoting a strong reaction from Australian fast bowler Mitchell Starc, who even suggested that the system should be “scrapped.”
The problem came up on the second day of the game at the Adelaide Oval where a series of controversial decisions resulted in questioning the reliability of the edge detection technology, which left both players and fans unaware of what was really going on.
On Day Two, England was quite lucky to get an intervention from match referee Jeff Crowe who gave permission to a review to be reinstated. Previously, Snicko provider BBG Sports had admitted that an operator error on the first day resulted in Australian wicketkeeper Alex Carey being given the wrong not out. After that incident, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) issued a statement saying that it would be sending a letter to the ICC to discuss the system and its protocols.
The point of contention was when Australia used a review to show that Jamie Smith had caught the ball of Pat Cummins’ first slip. After looking at Snicko, TV umpire Chris Gaffaney decided that the ball had hit Smith’s helmet and not the glove. Australian players were strongly opposed and claimed that the ball had hit the glove. Mitchell Starc, when the decision came to be upheld, was almost at the stump microphone saying, “Snicko is the worst technology. It got it wrong yesterday and again today,” which could be heard.”
Not long after it was quite funny that Jamie Smith was given out through Snicko.
Former top umpire Simon Taufel criticized the ICC decision of removing the “soft signal” and insisted that the technology be used as a help to the on-field umpires rather than as a replacement of their judgment. Cricket Australia CEO Todd Greenberg also expressed his dissatisfaction with Snicko’s work and called for a thorough investigation to be conducted.
Ricky Ponting, the Australian ex-captain, also mentioned that the method used for the Ashes is far from the standard with the technology used in other countries and even said that the umpires are not fully confident in it. Meanwhile, spinner Nathan Lyon opted not to make any remarks on the issue after the match.
The debate restarting regarding Snicko at the Ashes Test lead the concerns of the role, consistency, and trustworthiness of the technology in the present-day cricket to be brought up once again.
