The Ashes 2025-26 series in Adelaide Day 2 descended into chaos as technical glitches and inconsistent umpiring decisions ignited heated debate over the future of the Decision Review System (DRS). The tipping point came during the morning session of the third Test, where a series of conflicting Snicko readings irked both teams and led to a scathing assessment of the veteran Australian pacer. Mitchell Starc.
Mitchell Starc calls for snicko technology to be ‘fired’ after Jamie Smith incident on Day 2 of Adelaide Test
The reliability of the “Snickometer” technology reached breaking point on Thursday after two separate incidents. England keeper-prone Jamie Smith revealed deep flaws in the system’s calibration. First of all, from a sharp short ball Pat Cummins It appeared that Smith had brushed his gloves before creating the Osman Khawaja during the first slide; however, despite replays showing the glove wave, Snicko remained completely level and led the third judge. Chris Gaffaney driving it like a helmet shot. In a baffling reversal of fortune just two overs later, Smith was caught behind after a pull shot, although slow-motion replays showed a visible gap between bat and ball.
Frustrated by a series of events that saw the glove effect seemingly ignored on the audio chart, Stark was caught on the stump mic and delivered a scathing verdict: “Snicko needs to be fired. This is the worst technology in existence…they made a mistake the other day and they made another mistake today.” His outburst underscored growing mistrust of the technology, which was already under fire after a high-profile error on Day 1. Alex Carey run away from a clear margin and go on to score a match-defining century.
This time, the Snicko graph produced a full-frame spike after the ball passed off the bat, which Gaffaney deemed sufficient evidence to warrant the dismissal. An English camp led by a misty-looking captain Ben StokesThey were in disbelief as they watched with the naked eye as they tended to an objectionable decision.
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Nathan Lyon and Pat Cummins dominate as England’s hopes fade
Australia’s Ashes-like grip was strengthened significantly on Day 2 in Adelaide as England’s batting line-up crumbled under relentless pressure from a rejuvenated home attack. Resuming on 326/8, Australia added a vital 45 runs to reach a final total of 371, led by Starc’s aggressive 54 and Jofra Archer’s 5/53.
England’s response was immediate and disastrous as they slumped to 42/3 before lunch. Nathan Lyon elimination Ben Duckett (29) and Ollie Pope (3) exceed a single date Glenn McGrath on the all-time goaltending list. Pat Cummins, returning from injury with figures of 3/54, claimed the scalp of Joe Root for just 19. Harry Brooke‘s challenging 45 was cut short by a tactical master stroke Cameron Green.
A late order collapse saw the visitors slide from 159/5 to a precarious 168/8. Scott Boland (2/31) removed the tail with surgical precision. Only an unbeaten, relentless partnership of 55 runs between captain Stokes (45* from 151 balls) and Archer (30*) prevented a complete capitulation and set England on their way to 213/8. Despite this rear-guard action, the tourists are trailing by a massive 158 runs with just 2 wickets in hand and face the grim reality that Australia need a few more sessions to effectively retain the bowl.
