England captain Ben Stokes endured a disappointing outing during the fifth Ashes Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground, falling for a duck on Day 2 of the match. His early dismissal quickly became a major talking point, not just on the field but across social media as well.
Stokes was sent back after a delivery from Mitchell Starc was judged to have taken an edge. The on-field umpire referred the decision upstairs, where Snicko technology showed a spike that ultimately sealed the batter’s fate.
The controversy arose when replays appeared to suggest the spike on Snicko was slightly out of sync, with many viewers believing it occurred after the ball had already passed the bat. This sparked immediate debate among fans and commentators alike.
Despite the uproar, Stokes did not protest the call and walked off calmly after facing 11 deliveries. His dismissal, however, left England under pressure at a crucial stage of the innings.
Mitchell Starc once again had Ben Stokes' number. Did you agree with the review?#Ashes | #DRSChallenge | @Westpac pic.twitter.com/Byqcl4peem
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 4, 2026
Social media platforms, especially Twitter, were flooded with reactions ranging from frustration and disbelief to sarcasm and memes. Many users questioned the reliability of Snicko, while others called for improvements in decision-review technology.
The incident once again highlighted how technology continues to divide opinion in cricket, particularly in high-stakes contests like the Ashes, where every decision is magnified and fiercely scrutinized.