Claims of 'Hotspot' cheating during Ashes spark row
Australian TV station suggests Ashes batsmen used silicone tape on bats to fool thermal system, while Clarke and Pietersen deny knowledge
England batsman Kevin Pietersen yesterday angrily denied reports he was one player in the Ashes series using silicone tape on his bat to avoid nicks being detected by "Hotspot" technology.
The allegations were made by Australia's Channel Nine television station, but Pietersen said he would be "stupid" to try to cheat the system, while Australia captain Michael Clarke denied any knowledge of sharp practice.
A spokesman for the International Cricket Council (ICC) said its general manager of cricket, Geoff Allardice, would be arriving to speak to the teams before the fourth test tomorrow to address concerns about the controversial Decision Review System (DRS).
But the global governing body denied they were investigating the alleged use of silicone-based tape.
Channel Nine did not provide sources and gave no details of whether Ashes batsmen may have been using the tape to fool Hotspot, which uses thermal cameras to see if a batsman has hit the ball, either with bat or pad.
But it suggested that both sides were under suspicion.
The channel added that there was concern regarding Pietersen's dismissal in the second innings of the third test at Old Trafford, when a noise was heard indicating a nick but no Hot Spot was detected on the bat.
Pietersen described the report as "horrible journalism" and "hurtful lies". "I am never afraid of getting out! If I nick it, I'll walk. To suggest I cheat by covering my bat with silicon infuriates me," he tweeted. "How stupid would I be to try & hide a nick when it could save me on an LBW appeal, like in 1st innings where hotspot showed I nicked it."
Clarke told the he had no knowledge of tape being used to fox the technology, which is often used to review dismissals.
"If that's the case, then we're talking about cheating and I can guarantee there is not one person in the Australian change room that will cheat," Clarke said. "That's not the way we play cricket.
"It's hard for me to talk for other players but I've never heard any conversation about that in the Australian change room and I can guarantee you my bat manufacturer [doesn't do that].
"I didn't know there was such a thing you could do to hide nicking the ball on Hot Spot."
It is perfectly legal under the Laws of Cricket for players to tape their favourite bats for "protection and repair".
England fast bowler Graham Onions said the allegations were "outrageous" as he, too, denied suggestions players were trying to con DRS.
"It's a huge accusation and it's outrageous really," Onions said at Chester-le-Street in England.
"Tape has been used to mend cracks or to get our favourite bats to last as long as possible but it sounds completely silly to even think that people are putting things on their bat to try and help them to cover up decisions.
"We play the game as fair as you can, as I'm sure the Australians do as well," Onions insisted.
Australia all-rounder Steven Smith said tape was used solely by his side for the purpose of protecting the bat.
