Inside DRS: Unpacking Snicko and UltraEdge Controversies in the Ashes

The Snickometre, often referred to as Snicko, has been under scrutiny in the ongoing Ashes series in Australia for its role in determining whether the ball has made contact with the bat’s edge.

During the first innings of the third Test in Adelaide, Australia’s wicketkeeper-batsman Alex Carey was declared not out after England opted for a Decision Review System (DRS) appeal regarding his dismissal. Later, Carey acknowledged that he had edged the ball during his innings.

Subsequently, BBG Sports, the company responsible for the Snickometre technology, admitted that an operator’s error had contributed to the incorrect decision.

How does the Snickometre work?

Invented by British engineer Allan Plaskett, the Snickometre relies on sound and visual data. A stump microphone captures the sound, which is then relayed to an oscilloscope—a device used to display and analyze electronic waveforms. It detects sound waves, while the visuals are examined in slow motion.

When the ball contacts the bat, the snicko graph is analyzed for evidence. A spike in the waveform indicates an edge, whereas contact with the pad or glove results in a flatter impact.

The third umpire uses this information to decide whether the ball has hit the bat.

Is there a more effective alternative to the Snickometre?

Hawkeye has developed UltraEdge, a technology designed to more accurately detect edges using the cameras utilized for ball tracking during leg-before-wicket decisions. These cameras operate at 340 frames per second, enhancing the decision-making process. Additionally, UltraEdge automatically synchronizes sound and visuals, eliminating the need for manual operation, which reduces the risk of errors.

Who decides whether to use Snickometre or UltraEdge?

The host broadcaster determines which technology to use in its DRS package. For this Ashes series, Channel Seven and Foxtel, the official broadcasters, chose Snickometre. Currently, only Australia and New Zealand employ this technology, while England, India, and South Africa use UltraEdge. UltraEdge is also used in ICC competitions.

Have there been other cases where Snickometre led to incorrect decisions?

In the third Test, Australia expressed frustration with the technology when England’s wicketkeeper-batter Jamie Smith appeared to have been caught at second slip off Mitchell Starc’s bowling. However, Snicko indicated that the ball hit Smith’s helmet rather than his glove, sparing him. Later, Smith was deemed caught behind, despite Snicko showing a spike after the ball passed the bat.

Who has criticized the Snickometre technology?

Mitchell Starc was caught on the stump mic criticizing Snickometre after a decision favored England, saying, “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.”

Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting also voiced his discontent, stating, “This technology that we are using here is simply not as good as technology that is used in other countries. You talk to the umpires, and they’ll tell you the same thing,” during a broadcast on Cricket Seven.

Published on Dec 25, 2025