CRICKET: Australia board chief condemns DRS 'clanger' in Ashes test

Writing

ADELAIDE – Cricket Australia chief executive Todd Greenberg has criticized the operator of the Snicko technology used in the Decision Review System (DRS) after an error cost England a crucial wicket on day one of the third Ashes Test at the Adelaide Oval.

Greenberg told local radio station SEN that the governing body was seeking explanations after Alex Carey survived a caught-behind appeal despite appearing to edge the ball.

“It certainly caused me some heartburn because the whole idea of technology is to take away the clanger or the howler,” Greenberg said.

“From what I understand after looking into it last night and this morning, it was human error. There were two errors – one was the on-field umpire’s decision, and then there’s meant to be a fail-safe with the technology, and that didn’t happen.

“In my view, it’s not good enough. We’re asking a lot of questions of the provider through the broadcasters, and we’re hoping to get answers so we can be assured it won’t happen again.”

Carey was on 72 when he edged a delivery from Josh Tongue through to wicketkeeper Jamie Smith, but England’s appeal was turned down. The decision stood after it was reviewed using DRS.

Although Snicko detected a sound, it did not align with the ball’s movement past the bat in the video review.

Carey went on to add 34 more runs before being dismissed for a match-high 106 late on Wednesday.

Snicko provider BBG Sports later took full responsibility, saying the error was caused by human mistake after “the wrong stump microphone was selected for audio processing.”

England initially lost a review for failing to overturn the decision, but match officials later reinstated it.

Australia were bowled out for 371 early on day two on Thursday after winning the toss and electing to bat.

The hosts lead the five-match series 2-0 following victories in Perth and Brisbane. -Reporting by Ian Ransom in Adelaide; Editing by Peter Rutherford/Reutersas