English batsman slams report which said he used silicone tape on his bat to avoid nicks being detected by Hot Spot; ICC rules out investigation

England batsman Kevin Pietersen yesterday angrily denied reports that he was one player in the Ashes series using silicone tape on his bat to avoid nicks being detected by “Hot Spot” technology.

Kevin Pietersen reacts after being controversially dismissed in England’s second dig in third Test. Pic/Getty Images

The allegations were made by Australia’s Channel Nine television but Pietersen said he would be “stupid” to try to cheat the system while Australia captain Michael Clarke denied any knowledge of sharp practice.

Australia’s Channel Nine said the International Cricket Council (ICC) general manager of cricket, Geoff Allardice, would be investigating the matter in Durham, where the fourth Test begins on Friday.

However, the ICC insisted Allardice was coming over solely to speak to the teams regarding their concerns regarding the controversial Decision Review System and said it was not investigating any alleged attempts by players to “cheat” Hot Spot.

“These media reports are totally incorrect,” said ICC chief executive David Richardson in a statement issued by the global governing body on Wednesday.

“Geoff Allardice is meeting with both teams and umpires to see how we can best use the DRS and the available technology going forward in the next two Test matches. It has nothing to do with any players,” the former South Africa wicketkeeper added.

The channel suggested both sides were under suspicion of trying to “fool” Hot Spot, which uses thermal cameras to see if a batsman has hit the ball, either with his bat or pad.

The channel added there was concerns 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,” he added.

Reactions

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. That’s not the way we play cricket.
— Australia skipper Michael Clarke

It’s a huge accusation and it’s outrageous really. 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.
— Graham Onions (Eng)

Obviously, I don’t think any of us have done anything with silicone on our bats. We haven’t even discussed anything about that, trying to cheat the system at all.
— Steven Smith (AUS)u00a0

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