Nine’s silicone tape claims slammed
Claims that Test cricketers have been using silicone tape on the edges of their bats to fool decision review technology have been roundly dismissed.
The claims, aired on Channel Nine news bulletins around Australia on Wednesday evening, have drawn a furious response from officials and players in the England and Australian camps.
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) demanded an “explanation and apology” from the Australian TV network following the claims.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) dismissed reports that its general manager of cricket operations, Geoff Allardice, is investigating the use of silicone tape.
“These media reports are totally incorrect,” ICC chief executive David Richardson told cricket media last night.
“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 player referred to in the Channel Nine report, Kevin Pietersen, also took a swipe at the claims, using Twitter to vent his anger.
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“My name brought up in Hot Spot crisis suggesting I use silicon to prevent nicks showing! Such 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. How stupid would I be to try and hide a nick when it could save me on an lbw appeal, like in the first innings where Hot Spot showed I nicked it.”
The Nine Network’s report itself appeared to be short on detail; its England-based reporter Roz Kelly filed the story that claimed cricket’s governing body was looking into the use of tape on bats – with suggestions players from both England and Australia would be fronted on the issue.
The report had no responses or reactions from the ECB, ICC, England team or Australian team.
The Hotspot technology, which forms part of the Decision Review System (DRS), has come under fire during the Ashes series, with both teams complaining of inconsistencies in its use and application.
The technology is used to pick up a `hotspot’ on a player’s bat, its appearance or otherwise playing a part in whether a batsmen is given out if a decision goes to a review.
Batsmen sometimes use fibreglass tape to help with the longevity of their bats, but the Australia captain Michael Clarke said he did not know of any Australian batsman using silicone-tape or any other method of attempting to reduce the effect of Hotspot.
“It’s hard for me to talk for other players, but I’ve never heard any type of conversation like that in the Australian change room,” Clarke said after the report aired.
“I didn’t know there was such a thing you could do to hide nicking the ball on Hotspot. I wouldn’t have thought that a bit of tape would have made any difference anyway.
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“I think I would know. I’m a bat nuffy, I pick up everyone’s bats. I go through everyone’s cricket bats. I find the accusation quite funny, to be honest,” he told reporters.
“I can’t talk for everyone but if that’s the case and we’re talking about cheating, I can guarantee you there’s not one person in the Australian change room who will cheat. It’s not the way we play cricket.”
England bowler Graham Onions had a similar view at his press conference. “It’s a huge accusation, and it’s outrageous really,” he said.
“It seems completely blown out of proportion really; it doesn’t seem right.
“I know the England players would never put anything on their bats.
“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.
“I can say that we don’t put anything on our bats. We play the game as fair as you can, as I’m sure the Australians do as well.”
Onions told reporters he is ready for selection on his home ground for the fourth Ashes Test.
The 30-year-old from Gateshead has not played so far in the series, which England lead 2-0 with two to play, but is part of the squad at the Emirates Durham ICG.
Onions has been his consistent self in this year’s County Championship with 44 wickets in eight games at an average of 20.77.
– with AAP and ecb.co.uk
