Australian captain Michael Clarke has strongly denied his players have been using silicone-based tape on their bats to avoid detection by HotSpot technology.
The ICC has dismissed a report on the Nine Network claiming the cricketing body was investigating a suggestion that England and Australian players may have been using tape on the edges of their bats to “cheat” the effectiveness of the DRS technology.
The ICC have sent director of cricket operations, Geoff Allardice to Durham to meet with the coaches and captains on Thursday, ahead of the fourth Test in Durham to try to iron out some points of contention with DRS after a number of controversial moments during the Ashes.
“These media reports are totally incorrect,” said ICC chief executive David Richardson.
“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.”
Clarke says it’s normal for players to protect their bats with things like fibreglass facing, but that it’s nothing new and he’s been doing it since he was 12 years old.
There is nothing in the ICC rules that says players can’t use tape to protect and strengthen their bats.
Clarke says there is no chance any Australian player has been trying to cheat the technology.
“I find the accusation quite funny. I can’t talk for everybody but if it is the case, we are talking about cheating. I can tell you there is not one person in the Australian change rooms who is a cheat,” he said.
“That’s not the way we play cricket.
“I know no one is going to the extreme of saying `put this on your bat because it will help you beat HotSpot.'”
England star Kevin Pietersen has reacted angrily at being linked to the story after his controversial dismissal at Old Trafford.
Pietersen was given out despite nothing showing up on HotSpot.
Pietersen tweeted: “Horrible journalism yet again! My name brought up in hotspot crisis suggesting I use silicon to prevent nicks showing! Such hurtful lies.”
Clarke also said he hasn’t witnessed anything untoward going on with England players.
The Ashes series has been marred by a number of controversial DRS decisions, mostly involving HotSpot and its failure to show up edges.
The inventor of HotSpot, Warren Brennan from BBG Sports, has admitted the technology can struggle to pick up edges from fast bowling.
If batsmen are trying to cover up edges, the theory appears flawed, given it could just as easily contribute to incorrect lbw dismissals where the ball has been hit first.
Pietersen said he would be foolish to try such a thing.
“How stupid would I be to try and hide a nick when it could save me on an LBW appeal – like in 1st innings where hotspot showed I nicked it,” he tweeted.
“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.”
Clarke said he could guarantee that his bat manufacturer doesn’t alter bats.
The 32-year-old said all batsmen used coverings on their bats but he’s never heard of anything to suggest there’s a way of lessening the impact of HotSpot.
“I’ve used fibreglass facing on my bats since I got my first bat from Slazenger when I was 12,” he said.
“Because modern bats are pressed and are soft, you put a cover on it to protect the bat and make it last longer.
“A lot of players use that.
“I didn’t know there was such a thing you could do to hide nicking the ball on HotSpot. I wouldn’t think it would make any difference. I’ve never heard of anyone doing it.”