Mitchell Starc urges ICC to fund DRS amid Ashes controversies

Australia fast bowler Mitchell Starc has raised concerns over the inconsistencies in DRS (Decision Review System) technology, questioning why the ICC does not fund it and advocating for a single provider to be used across all international matches.

His comments follow a series of contentious decisions during the ongoing Ashes series.

Both Australia and England have expressed frustration over several incidents involving Real Time Snicko (RTS), with tensions peaking during the Adelaide Test.

A notable controversy arose on the second morning of the match when England had a review reinstated by match referee Jeff Crowe.

BBG Sports, the suppliers of Snicko, admitted operator error had led to an incorrect reprieve for Alex Carey during his opening-day century. 

On day two, Starc was overheard on the stump mic saying, “Snicko needs to be sacked,” following another contentious call.

In response, the ECB and Cricket Australia plan to lobby the ICC to review its protocols and systems.

A key point of discussion will be the current model in which host broadcasters pay for the technology, which Starc believes contributes to inconsistency.

“I’m sure it’s frustrating for everyone—viewers, officials, broadcasters, no doubt,” Starc said.

“One thing I will say … I’m only going to speak for myself here, the officials use it, right? So why doesn’t the ICC pay for it? And why is it not just one provider across the board? Why don’t we use the same technology in all series? That would create less confusion, less frustration.”

Currently, the ICC has approved two “sound-based edge detection” suppliers: RTS, used in Australia, and UltraEdge, used in the rest of the world.

Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting suggested during the third Test that umpires “can’t trust” RTS, claiming UltraEdge is superior.

Australia captain Pat Cummins took a more diplomatic stance but acknowledged differences between the systems. “The one here seems a little bit different to sometimes what you get overseas,” Cummins said.

“There’s always a few murmurs. You’re hoping it matches up if you’re the bowling team. Sometimes you just make sure it’s all okay if you’re batting, even if you feel like you haven’t hit it. It doesn’t always feel super consistent, but you just crack on with whatever the umpire says.”

Although UltraEdge is used in the Big Bash League (BBL), there is currently no provision to switch technology providers mid-series, meaning RTS will continue to be used for the final two Ashes Tests in Melbourne and Sydney.