Missing technology continues to hamper Brisbane Test

Malfunctioning technology has continued to hamper the officials in the opening Ashes Test in Brisbane with the absence of Snicko coming to the fore on the third day.

The Snicko system, used to detect edges, has been unavailable throughout the match with Cricket Australia saying border restrictions prevented getting technical support to the venue to fix an issue. Both teams were kept aware of the situation by match referee David Boon who has ensured the DRS has been kept consistent throughout, but it has meant a less complete version is available.

It was centre stage when Australia called for a review in England's second innings against Dawid Malan, who was on 16, when they thought he had edged Josh Hazlewood. There was a suggestion of a faint mark on the bottom of the bat from Hot Spot but third umpire Paul Wilson did not believe it was sufficient evidence to overturn the on-field not-out decision.

Australia thought they saw a mark on the bat but accepted that the lack of Snicko left the TV umpire no option.

"I was at first slip, I didn't hear a noise but the other four guys around me were adamant there was bat," Marnus Labuschagne said. "For us on-field, obviously we are a long way away, it looked like it had hit the bottom of the toe. We thought there looked like there was a mark on the bottom of the toe when you pointed the toe more towards the camera. But when you don't have Snicko that decision is never going to get turned over."

Malan was always confident he was safe. "I didn't hit, I missed it by a mile," he said.

The absence of Snicko was first apparent on the opening day when Australia reviewed for a leg-side catch against Jos Buttler although on that occasion there was clearer evidence from Hot Spot that it had only brushed the thigh pad.

Another key part of the technology missing throughout the game has been the camera system which allows the third umpire to monitor and call no-balls. That was revealed when Ben Stokes overstepped with his first three deliveries on day two, then claimed David Warner with his fourth only for it to be chalked off because the front foot was checked due to it being a wicket-taking delivery.

This match is being played under the previous protocols where the on-field umpires call no-balls and only when a batter is dismissed is the front line checked.

It is expected that the full complement of DRS technology will be available for the second Test in Adelaide. Queensland's closed borders created challenges ahead of the opening game with the England squad and a significant number of Australia's needing to quarantine ahead of the game, as well as officials and those involved in putting the match on.