Jamie Smith at centre of 2 Snicko controversies as Mitchell Starc demands system’s sacking; Ben Stokes furious

Real-Time Snickometer came under the spotlight again during the third Ashes 2025-26 Test between Australia and England in Adelaide after another controversial decision. For the second day in a row, the edge-detection system played a key role in the match, raising doubts about the technology’s reliability.

On Day 1 (Wednesday, December 17), Australia wicketkeeper-batter Alex Carey survived a caught-behind review. Snicko showed a sound spike, but it did not match the visuals. With the evidence inconclusive, England’s appeal was rejected, allowing Carey to continue batting. Carey went on to score a century.

Later, BBG Sports, the company operating Snickometer, admitted that the wrong stump microphone had been used during the review, confirming a technical error that affected the decision.

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Snicko needs to be sacked - Mitchell Starc

Australia left-arm fast bowler Mitchell Starc criticized the Snicko system during England’s first innings after another controversial decision.

The Australian pacer was heard on the stump microphones during the final session at Adelaide Oval, calling the technology poor and saying it had made mistakes on consecutive days.

“Snicko needs to be sacked,” Starc was heard saying on the stump microphones during Thursday’s final session at Adelaide Oval.

“That’s the worst technology there is. They made a mistake the other day and they made another mistake today.”

Starc’s comments came after umpires decided to refer the decision to the third umpire to determine whether England batter Jamie Smith had been caught by Usman Khawaja.

Jamie Smith Survives Close Call as Snicko Sparks Fresh Debate

Jamie Smith survived a close call during England’s innings after a short ball from Pat Cummins created confusion in the slips. Smith went for a hook shot but missed the ball, which then popped up towards Usman Khawaja at first slip.

Australia believed the ball had touched Smith’s glove before carrying to Khawaja. The on-field umpires also had doubts and sent the decision to the third umpire to check whether the catch was clean.

Replays and Snicko suggested that the ball may have hit Smith’s helmet rather than his glove. There was also uncertainty because the ball appeared to bounce before reaching Khawaja.

Despite several replays being checked, the third umpire ruled Smith not out. He survived on 16, leaving the Australian players frustrated and adding to the ongoing debate around the reliability of Snicko.

England Furious as Jamie Smith Given Out Despite Inconclusive Evidence

Jamie Smith tried to play a pull shot to a short ball outside off stump. The ball went through to Alex Carey, who took a catch behind the stumps, and Australia appealed immediately. On-field umpire Nitin Menon sent the decision to the third umpire. Replays showed that the ball carried to Carey.

Snickometer showed a clear spike as the ball passed the bat, even though slow-motion replays appeared to show a gap between the bat and the ball. However, third umpire Chris Gaffaney relied on the Snicko reading and ruled Smith out caught behind.

Smith did not look convinced by the decision and walked off shaking his head. Ben Stokes was also visibly frustrated at the non-striker’s end. The moment drew comparisons with Alex Carey’s escape, when a similar Snicko issue worked in Australia’s favour.

Also read: ICC accepts technology error, reinstates England review after Alex Carey appeal in Adelaide Test