Mitchell Starc Calls Out at Snicko’s Incompetence During Adelaide Test

Despite going wicketless so far in the third Ashes Test, Mitchell Starc remains the series’ top bowler with 18 wickets across the first three matches.

Mitchell Starc Calls Out at Snicko’s Incompetence During Adelaide Test

Mitchell Starc slammed the Snicko technology, in question after the ongoing Ashes controversy. (via Cricket Monthly)

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The Snickometer controversy in the ongoing Adelaide Test of the 2025-26 Ashes seems to be an unending one. After English keeper-batter Jamie Smith was involved in two such umpiring errors on Day 2, Australian pacer Mitchell Starc expressed his frustration with the technology.

The third Test of the Ashes is currently underway, with Australia having managed to post a decent first innings total of 371 runs, guided by Alex Carey’s maiden Ashes ton. For England, Jofra Archer took a five-wicket haul. The visitors, coming out to bat on Day 2, once again struggled to score runs, as they were reduced to 71/4, until the innings was stabilized by captain Ben Stokes, Harry Brook, and Archer.

While the match has been a thrilling one until now, controversial umpiring has somehow persisted across both days, involving the Snicko technology. On Day 1, Carey was given ‘not out’ despite being caught behind. The Snickometer, in question, showed no spike, which was later revealed to be an error by the operator. The issues re-emerged during England’s innings as well, this time involving Jamie Smith.

In the 44th over, Pat Cummins bowled a short ball towards Smith, forcing the batter to defend it. However, the ball made it to Usman Khawaja’s hands at first slip. Snicko once again showed no spike, despite the ball having rubbed off the batter’s gloves.

Jamie Smith was declared not out, as the ball had also not carried to Khawaja clearly. In the 46th over, Smith, however, was caught behind, with the umpires deeming it out this time, despite Snicko showing a spike in a frame after the ball passed the bat. 

All of it has raised questions over the reliability of the Snicko technology for umpiring decisions. Aussie pacer Mitchell Starc was quick to express his frustration with the technology, with his conversation with one of the umpires caught by the stump mic. Starc exclaimed that Snicko needed to be ‘sacked’. He even labelled it as the ‘worst’, while pointing to the recurrent errors that it has been producing over the days.

Snicko needs to be sacked. That’s the worst technology there is… They make a mistake the other day, and they make another mistake today.

The Three Lions had the review that they lost on Day 1 due to a Snicko error reinstated by match referee Jeff Crowe. With the England and Australian teams seemingly toeing the same line, it remains to be seen whether the technology is retained for the remaining two Tests. 

Pat Cummins leaves Jasprit Bumrah and Mitchell Starc behind after claiming Joe Root’s wicket again

Making his return to the Australian red-ball team setup, Pat Cummins made an immediate impact on the second day of the ongoing third Ashes Test at the Adelaide Oval. The 32-year-old star, captaining his side after five months, picked up a scintillating three-wicket haul.

Pat Cummins overtake Mitchell Starc, Jasprit Bumrah
Pat Cummins overtook Mitchell Starc and Jasprit Bumrah with a major Test cricket stat, including Joe Root. (via ESPN Cricinfo)

Cummins had suffered a severe back injury during Australia’s Test tour to the West Indies earlier this year, which kept him out of action. He was kept out of the opening two matches as a precautionary measure. Returning to the helm, Cummins did not have to wait long for his first wicket of the 2025-26 Ashes, as he dismissed England opener Zak Crawley in the eighth over of the team’s innings.

The Aussie skipper then dismissed the in-form Joe Root for just 19 runs, with a length ball outside off. Root attempted to defend but gave away a thick outside edge. The ball landed straight into keeper Alex Carey’s gloves, making it the 12th time in the Australian pacer’s career that he got rid of Joe Root. He has thus moved past India’s Jasprit Bumrah (11 times) and teammate Mitchell Starc (11) on the list. 

Not only did he break the record for becoming the bowler with the best strike-rate against Joe Root, but Cummins also etched his name in the history books. The Australian captain also went past Brett Lee to become the country’s 7th highest wicket-taker in Test cricket with 312 scalps.

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