ADELAIDE: Snicko operator BBG Sports has taken the blame for a decision review system (DRS) howler that allowed Alex Carey to reach his hundred on day one.
After play, Carey admitted there was likely a “feather” on a shot he was given not out for, with England confirming it may take things further.
With the score 6-245, Carey was on 72 when he played and missed at a Josh Tongue delivery.
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England appealed triumphantly but it was given not out with a review following.
Carey looked sheepish after the review as Adam Gilchrist noted on Fox Cricket “it’s almost like he’s saying yes”.
Alex Carey’s Snicko decision. Â Fox Cricket
Bizarrely, Snicko showed a considerable spike before the ball reached the bat but nothing when it was closer.
“That creaky handle,” Alyssa Healy said on Fox Cricket.
However, BBG Sports was at fault, blaming an operation error.
Founder and head of technology, Warren Brennan, said in a statement to The Sydney Morning Herald that his company took “full responsibility”.
In his post-match press conference, Carey was asked directly if he hit it.
“I thought there was a bit of a feather or some sort of noise when it passed the bat,” he replied.
“It looked a bit funny on the replay with the noise coming early. If I was given out I think I would’ve reviewed it, probably not confidently, though. It was a nice sound as it passed the bat.”
Carey admitted he did have a bit of luck with the decision review system before being asked if he’s a walker.
“Clearly not,” he replied quickly.
BBG Sports’ statement took into account Carey’s comments.
“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,” Brennan told the publication.
“In light of this, BBG Sports takes full responsibility for the error.”
It’s understood that the stump microphone was operating from the bowler’s end when the spike appeared.
Alex Carey’s sheepish look. Â Fox Cricket
England’s bowling coach David Saker appeared after Carey and was less jovial about it.
“The boys are pretty confident he hit it,” he said.
“I think the calibration of the Snicko was out quite a bit and it’s probably been the case for the series. There’s been some things that don’t really measure up. At the stage, it was a pretty important decision.
“Those things hurt, you get through it, but you’d think in this day and age the technology is good enough to pick things up like that.”
After a number of contentious decisions, Saker said he didn’t believe questions had been asked by officials but flagged it could be an avenue in the future.
“After today, maybe that might go a bit further,” he said.
“There’s been concerns about it for the whole series and we shouldn’t be talking about that after a day’s play. It should just be better than that. It is what it is.”