Snickometer & Ultra Edge in Cricket DRS: How They Detect Edges
How the Snickometer and Ultra Edge technology work to detect bat-ball contact in cricket, how they are used in DRS, and their limitations.
When a batter is given out caught behind or LBW, the question is often: did the ball hit the bat? The Snickometer (now mostly replaced by Ultra Edge in ICC events) is the technology that answers this — using a microphone attached to the stumps to detect the sound spike associated with bat-ball contact, displayed simultaneously with video of the delivery. It is one of the most compelling pieces of cricket technology for fans and officials alike.
What Is the Snickometer?
The original Snickometer was developed in the 1990s by engineer Allan Plaskett. It uses a sensitive microphone (transducer) attached to or near the stumps to record the sound of the delivery as a waveform. The waveform is displayed alongside super-slow-motion video — if a spike in the waveform aligns with the ball passing the bat's edge in the video, it indicates bat-ball contact (an edge or nick).
Ultra Edge vs Snickometer
| Feature | Snickometer | Ultra Edge |
|---|---|---|
| Sound capture | Microphone in stumps | Multiple on-pitch microphones |
| Video sync | Manual/broadcast sync | Frame-precise sync |
| Speed | Delayed broadcast | Near real-time |
| ICC official use | Replaced | Current standard |
| Used in DRS? | Broadcast only (not official) | Yes — official DRS tool |
How Ultra Edge Works
Ultra Edge uses a high-sensitivity microphone system to capture sound precisely synchronised with high-speed video. The sound waveform is displayed in real time alongside the slow-motion replay. Third umpires look for a spike in the waveform at the exact frame when the ball passes the bat. A spike at that frame strongly suggests bat-ball contact; no spike suggests the ball missed the bat.
Hot Spot vs Ultra Edge
Hot Spot uses infrared cameras to detect friction heat generated when a ball hits a surface. An edge off the bat creates a hot mark on the bat face. However, Hot Spot requires both cameras to be available at the angle of contact, and very fine edges may not generate enough heat for detection. Ultra Edge (sound) often detects edges that Hot Spot misses — they are complementary, not competing technologies.
Using Audio Evidence in DRS
In ICC DRS, the third umpire has access to Ultra Edge, Hot Spot (where available), Hawk-Eye, and multiple video angles. For a caught-behind review, the protocol is:
- Check video: is the ball close to the bat edge?
- Check Ultra Edge: is there a spike aligned with the ball passing the bat?
- Check Hot Spot: is there a heat mark on the bat at the impact zone?
- Combine: if both Ultra Edge and Hot Spot confirm, the decision is clear. If they conflict, the third umpire must exercise judgement.
- Outcome: third umpire signals 'out' or 'not out' — the on-field decision is changed or upheld.
Famous Snickometer/Ultra Edge Moments
- Mark Wood vs Mohammad Rizwan 2021: Ultra Edge showed a spike at the exact moment the ball passed the bat — dismissed when the on-field umpire had given not out.
- Root vs Australia 2023: multiple Ultra Edge reviews in the Ashes series overturned on-field LBW decisions after audio confirmed bat contact.
- Virat Kohli DRS decisions: Kohli's famous reluctance to review caught-behind decisions was partly based on how reliable Ultra Edge has become — he preferred to trust on-field umpires.
Frequently asked questions
Is Snickometer still used in cricket?
The original Snickometer is largely replaced by Ultra Edge in ICC events, which provides real-time synchronised audio and video. However, 'Snickometer' is still used colloquially to refer to any edge-detection audio system.
Can Ultra Edge detect a nick off the pad, not the bat?
Yes — a ball hitting the pad also creates a sound spike. Third umpires are trained to identify whether the spike aligns with the ball passing the bat edge or hitting the pad. Context (position, video angle) guides this distinction.
Is Hot Spot available in all cricket matches?
No — Hot Spot cameras require specialist equipment that not all venues provide. ICC Tests and most bilateral series include it, but some tournaments operate DRS without Hot Spot, relying solely on Ultra Edge and Hawk-Eye.