CA says real time snicko unlikely to be introduced in time for 'return Ashes'

Cricket Australia (CA) has said that it is unlikely that the real time snickometer, soon to be the newest gadget at the disposal of television umpires, will be introduced to the Decision Review System (DRS) in time for the winter Ashes.

The updated snickometer is the latest product of the Australian inventor of the Hot Spot technology Warren Brennan, following the axing of the Hot Spot's infra-red imaging tool by Channel Nine for the return five-Test series against England over costs and concerns about its performance.

According to the Sydney Morning Herald, CA chief executive James Sutherland said that expectations that the improved snickometer would be given the go-ahead by the ICC in time for the first Ashes Test at the Gabba, starting on November 21, might be unrealistic as it has been referred by the ICC for independent assessment.

According to Sutherland, although the CA would like to see the new tool during the Ashes, there are all sorts of protocols that need to go with this technology, for which the board does not want to raise anyone's expectations.

The real-time snickometer, which allows viewers to simultaneously watch vibrations and side-on vision of the ball passing the edge, will not at present be part of the coverage by Nine who instead intend to use new ultra-motion split-screen technology for analysing contact between the ball and the edge of the bat, the report added.