‘Why don’t we use the same technology?’: Mitchell Starc urges ICC to step in as Ashes DRS trust crumbles | Cricket News
Australian fast bowler Mitchell Starc has called on the International Cricket Council (ICC) to take control of umpiring technology after confidence in the Decision Review System (DRS) took a major hit during the Adelaide Test of the Ashes.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Controversy erupted on the opening day when England were denied the wicket of Alex Carey due to a miscalibrated Real Time Snicko (RTS) system, prompting coach Brendon McCullum to lodge an official complaint. The issue resurfaced on day two when Jamie Smith survived two contentious decisions.
Caught on the stump microphone during the match, Starc summed up the mood bluntly, saying Snicko should be “sacked”. Speaking after the Test, the left-arm pacer expanded on his remarks, questioning why the ICC does not centrally fund and standardise the technology used by match officials.“I’m sure it’s frustrating for everyone — viewers, officials, broadcasters,” Starc said. “The officials use it, right, so why doesn’t the ICC pay for it? And why is it not just one across the board? Why don’t we use the same technology in all different series? That’s going to perhaps create less confusion or less frustration.”
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Should the ICC standardize the technology used in DRS across all series?
Currently, DRS technology depends on host broadcasters, with different providers used across series. The Ashes employ BBG’s audio-based edge detection system, while UltraEdge is used elsewhere. BBG later admitted operator error in the Carey incident and apologised, but the damage to trust had already been done.More advanced tools like Hot Spot, which uses infrared imaging to detect bat-ball contact, are not available in the Ashes after broadcasters opted against paying its reported $10,000-per-day cost.With Cricket Australia and the ECB set to lobby the ICC, Starc’s comments have intensified calls for a single, ICC-funded DRS system.
