Snickometer & UltraEdge in Cricket — How Sound Analysis Detects Edges
The Snickometer and its modern replacement UltraEdge detect the faint acoustic spike produced when a cricket ball grazes the bat edge. Learn how sound waveform analysis is used in DRS caught-behind decisions.
When a batsman is given out caught behind or stumped and takes a DRS review, the third umpire needs to determine whether the ball touched the bat — often an almost inaudible contact happening in a fraction of a second. Two complementary technologies address this: the Snickometer, developed in the 1990s, and UltraEdge, its higher-resolution replacement used in modern international cricket.
How the Snickometer worked
The original Snickometer used a single stump microphone to record audio and displayed the sound waveform alongside slow-motion video. Analysts looked for a spike in the waveform that coincided with the moment the ball passed the bat. A spike indicated contact; a flat waveform suggested the ball passed cleanly. The weakness was that the stump microphone picked up a range of sounds — foot movement, bat hitting pad, ball on ground — making it difficult to isolate a genuine edge from background noise.
UltraEdge: the modern standard
UltraEdge, developed by Australian company Tomo Tech and introduced into international cricket around 2013, solved several of the Snickometer's limitations. It uses a directional stump microphone with noise-filtering algorithms to isolate bat-ball contact sound from background interference. The waveform is displayed in real time alongside synchronised slow-motion footage, and the system highlights spikes that coincide precisely with the ball's position at the bat. The third umpire sees both simultaneously and can review frame by frame.
What counts as an edge for DRS purposes
For a caught-behind decision to be overturned via UltraEdge, the third umpire must see a clear, unambiguous spike in the waveform at the exact moment the ball passes the bat in the video. If there is no spike, or if the spike occurs at a different moment (suggesting the sound came from the pad or ground), the original on-field decision stands. UltraEdge can also confirm edges that the batsman diverted to the wicketkeeper without the on-field umpire hearing them — leading to not-out decisions being reversed to out.
Limitations of audio-based edge detection
Neither Snickometer nor UltraEdge is infallible. Sounds from the bat hitting the pad, the ball brushing clothing, or the batsman stamping the crease can produce waveform spikes that superficially resemble an edge. Conversely, very thin edges on a thick outer edge of the bat sometimes produce waveforms too faint to distinguish from ambient noise. In ambiguous cases the third umpire retains the original decision under the 'benefit of the doubt' principle — if it cannot be confirmed as an edge, the not-out batsman stays.
Frequently asked questions
Is Snickometer still used in cricket?
The original Snickometer is largely retired from international cricket, replaced by UltraEdge (also sometimes called the Snickometer by commentators). UltraEdge offers better noise isolation and faster display speed. Some broadcasters still produce Snickometer-style waveform graphics for entertainment purposes, but DRS decisions at ICC events use UltraEdge.
Can UltraEdge detect glove contact?
Yes. If the ball brushes the batsman's glove (which is considered part of the bat in cricket law) before being caught, UltraEdge should detect the acoustic contact. This is particularly relevant when the batsman's hand has left the bat handle — if the glove is no longer holding the bat, contact with it is not considered an edge for dismissal purposes.
What happens when UltraEdge is unavailable?
In matches where UltraEdge or equivalent technology is not available, the DRS is typically operated without the sound-analysis component. The third umpire must rely on slow-motion video alone. In matches without any DRS, caught-behind decisions are made solely by the on-field umpires.