Ashes 2025-26: ‘Snicko needs to be sacked’ - Aussies rages after another error with technology

Australian pacer Mitchell Starc called for Snicko to be scrapped after the edge-detection technology’s reliability came under scrutiny for a second consecutive day during the third Ashes Test at the Adelaide Oval. Cricket Australia’s chief executive also sought answers regarding a previous malfunction of the system.

On the second morning, England had a review reinstated by match referee Jeff Crowe after BBG Sports, the suppliers of Snicko, admitted that operator error had led to an incorrect reprieve for Alex Carey. In response to the incident, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) plans to lobby the ICC to review its protocols and systems.

Australia’s players were later left furious when Jamie Smith was adjudged not out following a review of a possible catch at first slip by Usman Khawaja off Pat Cummins’ bowling. TV umpire Chris Gaffaney, after consulting Snicko, suggested the ball had struck Smith on the helmet. However, the Australian players were convinced that it had instead brushed his glove.

"Snicko needs to be sacked. That's the worst technology there is. They made a mistake the other day, and they made another mistake today,” said Starc when standing close to the stump microphone.

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Smith himself was left frustrated when he was later given out caught behind off Cummins, just two overs after the earlier incident, with Snicko showing a spike one frame after the ball had passed the bat. The on-field umpires did not give an initial verdict and instead referred the decision to TV umpire Chris Gaffaney. Former international umpire Simon Taufel argued that the ICC had erred in removing the soft signal from the game two years ago.

“I love to see umpires making decisions. Technology is there to support [umpires]; technology is not there to replace. We've gone back 20 years. We've gone back to, when there's an element of doubt with the technology, the batting side are always going to get the benefit and the batter is going to stay there… The game deserves better than that and I would love to see the soft signal back in there,” said Taufel to Channel 7.