Umpires will have a new tool at their disposal for the Ashes with real-time Snickometer to be introduced for the first time this series. The new system will join Hot Spot, Eagle-Eye ball tracking and stump microphones as technology available to umpires.
Real-time Snicko introduced for Ashes
Broadcaster Channel 9 and BBG Sports, the company behind the technology, have reached an agreement and the system will be available to umpires and viewers from Thursday’s first Commonwealth Bank Ashes Test at the Gabba.
The International Cricket Council will use the Ashes series as a trial of the technology as cricket’s decision review system seeks to rebuild its reputation after a number of poor decisions during the winter’s Ashes series in England.
“Real-time Snicko will be part of the DRS. Both teams' boards have agreed to do it,” Nine's executive producer of cricket Brad McNamara said.
“We had a difficult negotiation (with BBG Sports) but thankfully we've come together. We're thrilled to have Hot Spot continue as part of the coverage.
"We're all about the best technology in the world. We feel that is amongst it and are looking forward to adding to that with the real-time Snicko, which we think will add to the viewers' experience and also hopefully help in the decision-making process for umpires. It will change the DRS. Hopefully you won't get the mistakes.
“None of this stuff or the ball-tracking was built to be a decision-making option for the umpires,” McNamara told Fairfax.
“It was always meant as a technology tool. But if they are using it we hope that the real-time Snicko avoids the situation that we had in England. It will help the umpires.”
Thermal imaging technology Hot Spot came in for heavy criticism in England, prompting inventor Warren Brennan to admit that some fine edges were undetectable to the cameras. Real-time Snicko promises to eliminate those issues with audio and vision coming together.
The ICC is reportedly sending two senior staff to Brisbane to oversee the introduction of real-time Snicko. Simon Taufel, the head of ICC umpiring, and Geoff Allardice, the general manager of operations, are expected to outline the new rules to both teams ahead of the first Test.