Ben Stokes became the latest victim of the controversial Snicko technology after the England captain’s dismissal at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) on Monday on the second day of the ongoing fifth and final Ashes 2025-26 Test. The incident took place on the 51st over of the England’s first innings in the first session of Day 2.
Pitched at good length by Mitchell Starc, the extra bounce forced Stokes to defend from the crease. Through naked eye, the ball passed closely to the outside edge. The Australian left-arm pacer appealed half-heartedly, while those behind the wickets were excited as the on-field umpire Chris Gaffaney turning down the host team’s request.
Australian captain Steve Smith went upstairs immediately. The Snicko showed a spike when the ball had passed the outside edge of Stokes’ bat, thus once again calling the accuracy of the technology. “There is no gap between the bat and the ball, I can see a clear spike,” said third umpire Kumar Dharmasena while announcing to reverse the decision.
Stokes walked out disappointed for an 11-ball duck. “It’s a shake of the head from Ben Stokes. He’s not convinced,” former Australian wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist said on-air. “Starc wasn’t overly certain, but it was a good review by the Australians and it falls in their favour.
“He (Starc) wasn’t sure but there was noise behind the stumps and it’s written in the book now. Disappointment for England,” added the swashbuckling left-hander.
Why Ben Stokes’ dismissal sparked fresh outrage?
The main issue with Stokes’ dismissal is that the spike was spotted a couple of frames after the ball had passed the England captain’s bat. While there was a faint sound, but it was unclear whether the noise came from the bat hitting the pad or actually the bat.
Several fans argued that the noise wasn’t from Stokes bat but rather something else. Earlier in the series, Australia Alex Carey and England Jamie Smith were victims of the controversial Snicko technology. Even Starc himself calling to ban the technology.
“Snicko needs to be sacked. That’s the worst technology there is,” Starc had said during the third Ashes 2025-26 Test in Adelaide. Notably, it was the 14th time in Tests, Stokes became a victim of Starc’s bowling.
