Snicko’s operators have conceded there was an error made when Alex Carey was given not out on review on day one of the third Ashes Test at the Adelaide Oval.
On his way to a maiden Ashes century, Carey believed he got an edge on a delivery outside off stump while on 72 off the bowling of Josh Tongue. The on-field umpire gave him not out.
Watch The Ashes 2025/26 LIVE and ad-break free during play with FOX CRICKET on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1.
England were up and arms that it was initially given not out and reviewed immediately – only to be left baffled again when ‘Snicko’ showed a noise occurring before the ball passed the bat.
The noise was clear to hear and left everyone scratching their heads with Carey saying he believes it was likely an error by the technology.
“I thought there was a bit of a feather or some sort of noise when it passed the bat,” Carey told reporters after the day’s play at the Adelaide Oval.
“It looked a bit funny on the replay, didn’t it? With the noise coming early.
“If I was given out, I think I would have reviewed it. Probably not confidently though. It was a nice sound as it when past the bat, yeah.”
Asked if he was a “walker” Carey replied: “Clearly not”.
Carey’s gut reaction appears to be correct with the third party in charge of providing Snicko to the broadcaster, BBG Sports, conceding an operator error was made.
The incorrect sound was used, from the bowler’s end rather than the batter’s, explaining why the spike was so out of sync. It means Carey may have indeed hit the ball.
READ MORE
TALKING PTS:Growing fears over $4m man; Uzzie adds to selection squeeze
DAY ONE WRAP: Home hero rescues Aus after late inclusion Uzzie’s near-miss
‘FOR THE AGES’: Carey’s emotional tribute to late father in perfect response
Aus v England: Test 3, Day 1 Highlights | 15:32
“Given that Alex Carey admitted he had hit the ball in question, the only conclusion that can be drawn from this, is that the ‘Snicko’ operator at the time must have selected the incorrect stump mic for audio processing,” BBG Sports founder and head of technology Warren Brennan told the Nine papers.
“In light of this, BBG Sports takes full responsibility for the error.”
Australia were 6/245 at the time, and losing Carey would have caused a big momentum swing the visitors’ way.
The decision has sparked anger for the English.
Former wicketkeeper Matt Prior joked that England deserves to automatically win the Test match, before adding: “All jokes aside this is an absolute disgrace and should not have happened.
“However we’ve all played in games where a batsman has blatantly nicked it and got away with it.”
England bowling coach David Saker said that his team were, more or less, left outraged by the decision.
‘Operator Error’ to blame in Carey call | 03:47
“The boys were pretty confident he hit it,” England’s bowling coach said immediately after Carey’s press conference.
“I think the snicko’s (been) out quite a bit, and it’s probably been the case for the series. I can’t remember the exact score, but it was a pretty important decision.
“Those things hurt … you’d think in this day-and-age, you’d hope the technology’s good enough to pick things up like that.
When asked by English media as to whether or not the national side had flagged their qualms with the review software to the ICC so far this series, Saker was under the impression they hadn’t — yet.
England question Carey’s DRS escape | 06:30
“I don’t think we’ve done anything about it so far, but after today, maybe that might go a bit further. There’s been concerns about it all series.
“We shouldn’t be talking about that after a day’s play, and it should just be better than that. It is what it is.”
Australia will resume on 8/326 on Thursday morning, with Mitchell Starc (33 not out) at the crease with Nathan Lyon who is yet to score.
