In cricket, what is "UltraEdge" (or Snickometer) used for?
VerifiedAnswer: To detect faint nicks or edges off the bat by visualizing sound and vibration.
Explanation:
UltraEdge, commonly known as Snickometer, is one of the most important technological tools used in modern cricket to help umpires make accurate decisions. This sophisticated system was developed to solve one of cricket's oldest challenges - determining whether the ball has touched the bat or not when there's an appeal for a catch or LBW decision.
The technology works by using sensitive microphones placed around the stumps that pick up even the faintest sounds during play. When the ball passes the bat, any contact creates a distinctive sound pattern and vibration. The UltraEdge system captures these audio signals and converts them into visual representations on a screen, showing spikes in the sound waves whenever contact occurs between the ball and bat.
What makes UltraEdge particularly valuable is its ability to detect contacts that are completely inaudible to the human ear. Sometimes a ball might just brush the edge of the bat so lightly that neither the players nor the umpires can hear it. In such cases, the visual display shows a clear spike in the sound graph, providing definitive evidence of contact.
The system is most commonly used during the Decision Review System (DRS) when teams challenge umpiring decisions. Here's how it typically works in match situations:
• When there's an appeal for caught behind and the on-field umpire gives it not out, the fielding team can review using DRS
• The third umpire uses UltraEdge to check if there was any contact between bat and ball
• If UltraEdge shows a spike when the ball is next to the bat, it confirms an edge
• This evidence helps overturn incorrect decisions or confirm the original call
UltraEdge has significantly improved the accuracy of umpiring decisions in cricket. Before this technology, many faint edges went undetected, leading to controversial decisions that could change the course of important matches. Now, with this precise tool, the game has become fairer and more reliable for both players and spectators who can see the evidence clearly on television broadcasts.
