England in talks to replace controversial Snicko with new technology for fourth Ashes Test
The England and Wales Cricket Board has opened talks with Cricket Australia about replacing the Snicko decision‑review system with UltraEdge for the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne. The move follows a series of disputed calls in the first two days of the Adelaide Ashes match, prompting criticism from…
After a turbulent start to the 2023‑24 Ashes series, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is reportedly in discussions with Cricket Australia (CA) about swapping the current Snicko decision‑review system (DRS) for the UltraEdge technology that powers Sky Sports' reviews in England. The potential change would come into effect for the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, a match that traditionally draws global attention.
Why the switch is being considered
The controversy began on day one of the Adelaide Test when Australian wicket‑keeper Alex Carey survived a dismissal that should have been given out. A technical glitch in Snicko’s audio waveform showed a gap between the ball’s passage and the bat, leading the third umpire to overturn the appeal. BBG Sports, the company that operates Snicko for Fox Sports, later issued a statement accepting responsibility for the error.
Day two amplified the criticism. Australia’s fast bowler Mitchell Starc, heard on the stump microphone, demanded that Snicko be “sacked” after a replay suggested England’s wicket‑keeper Ben Smith had not actually gloved a catch to Usman Khawaja at slip. Later, Smith was given out on review for an edge off a Pat Cummins short ball, even though Snicko’s audio spike did not align with the visual evidence. The cumulative effect was a growing sense among players that the technology was unreliable.
Who controls the technology
In bilateral series, the host board is responsible for the DRS equipment, usually delegating the task to the main domestic broadcast rights holder. In Australia, Fox Sports holds the primary rights and has contracted BBG Sports to run Snicko. However, Channel 7, the free‑to‑air broadcaster, maintains a separate DRS agreement with Hawk‑Eye Innovations, the creator of UltraEdge. This dual‑contract situation means an alternative system is technically available if CA decides to make a mid‑series switch.
UltraEdge is already in use across Australia’s domestic Twenty20 competition, the Big Bash League, and is the standard for England’s Sky Sports broadcasts. The system combines high‑speed cameras with sophisticated audio analysis to produce a more precise “spike” signal when the ball contacts the bat. Proponents argue that UltraEdge’s track record in the Big Bash and English cricket makes it a safer choice for high‑stakes Test matches.
Financial and contractual hurdles
Switching from Snicko to UltraEdge would not be a simple technical swap. CA and Fox Sports would need to negotiate a settlement with BBG Sports to terminate or suspend the existing contract. While the ECB is involved in the discussions, the final decision rests with CA and its broadcasting partners. Todd Greenberg, CA’s chief executive, publicly expressed disappointment with BBG’s handling of the Carey incident, stating, “There’s supposed to be a fail‑safe with the technology and it didn’t happen. In my view that’s not good enough.”
England’s team also appealed to match referee Jeff Crowe, who restored a lost review after the Carey error, underscoring the seriousness with which both sides view the DRS failures. Neither CA nor the ECB issued comments at the close of day two, leaving the situation in a state of limbo.
Potential impact on the Boxing Day Test
If UltraEdge is adopted for the Melbourne Test, it would mark the first time the Ashes series uses two different DRS providers in the same tour. The change could restore confidence among players and fans, reducing the likelihood of disputed dismissals that have already sparked heated debates on social media. Conversely, a mid‑series switch could set a precedent for future series, prompting boards to include contingency clauses for DRS technology in their contracts.
Beyond the immediate series, the episode highlights the growing importance of reliable technology in cricket. As the sport embraces data‑driven analysis, the accuracy of tools like Snicko and UltraEdge becomes a matter of competitive integrity, broadcasting credibility, and fan trust.
Why it matters
The dispute underscores how technology failures can affect match outcomes, player confidence, and the credibility of one of cricket’s most historic rivalries.
Key points
- Snicko errors in Adelaide sparked calls for a DRS change
- UltraEdge is already used in England and the Big Bash League
- Channel 7 holds a separate UltraEdge contract with Hawk‑Eye Innovations
- Switching systems would require a financial settlement with BBG Sports
- A mid‑series change could set a new precedent for DRS contracts
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Snicko and UltraEdge?
Snicko relies primarily on audio waveform analysis to detect a bat‑ball contact, while UltraEdge combines high‑speed cameras with refined audio to produce a more precise spike signal.
Who decides which DRS system is used in an Ashes Test?
The host board is responsible; in Australia the decision rests with Cricket Australia and its broadcast partners.
Has UltraEdge been used in Test cricket before?
UltraEdge is the standard DRS system for England and is used in Australia’s Big Bash League, but it has not yet been deployed in an Ashes Test.
What was the specific incident involving Alex Carey?
Carey was given not out after an operator error in Snicko showed a misleading audio gap, leading to a reversal of the umpire’s original decision.
Will the ECB have any say in the technology switch?
The ECB is involved in discussions but the final authority lies with Cricket Australia and its broadcasters.
