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Ben Stokes became the latest victim of the controversial Snicko technology after the England captain's dismissal at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) on Monday on the second day of the ongoing fifth and final Ashes 2025-26 Test. The incident took place on the 51st over of the England's first innings in the first session of Day 2.
Pitched at good length by Mitchell Starc, the extra bounce forced Stokes to defend from the crease. Through naked eye, the ball passed closely to the outside edge. The Australian left-arm pacer appealed half-heartedly, while those behind the wickets were excited as the on-field umpire turning down the host team's request.
Australian captain Steve Smith went upstairs immediately. The Snicko showed a spike when the ball had passed the outside edge of Stokes' bat, thus once again calling the accuracy of the technology. "There is no gap between the bat and the ball, I can see a clear spike," said third umpire Kumar Dharmasena while announcing to reverse the decision.
Stokes walked out disappointed for a 11-ball duck. “It’s a shake of the head from Ben Stokes. He’s not convinced,” former Australian wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist said on-air. “Starc wasn’t overly certain, but it was a good review by the Australians and it falls in their favour.
“He (Starc) wasn’t sure but there was noise behind the stumps and it’s written in the book now. Disappointment for England,” added the swashbuckling left-hander.
What's the controversial
The issue many viewers had is that the spike on 'Snicko' only occurred a number of frames after the ball passed Stokes' bat, which has happened a number of times now in the series. The Stokes dismissal sparked fresh uproar around Snicko with many viewers frustrated that the technology continues to be a major talking point. Many were even adamant the England captain should not have been given out, despite closer replays showing no separation between Stokes' bat and the ball.
English (US) ·