England and Australia Batsmen Accused of Cheating DRS with Silicone Tape

A report in Australia has claimed that batsmen are cheating the controversial Umpire Decision Review System (DRS) by applying silicone tape to their bats, preventing Hot Spot from picking up the edges.

Australia captain Michael Clarke has moved to deny the allegations on behalf of his team, while England batsman Kevin Pietersen, expressly named in the claims, has also protested his innocence.

The news was broken in Australia ahead of the fourth Test in Durham, with reports claiming that the ICC were investigating the incident. Channel 9 reports:

"

England batsman Kevin Pietersen has come under scrutiny after his dismissal in the second innings of the Third Test at Old Trafford. Pietersen was given out caught behind off the bowling of Peter Siddle but he challenged the decision of umpire Tony Hill.

England players are not the only ones who could come under investigation as some Australian players could also come under scrutiny.

"

Hot Spot has came under fierce scrutiny in this series, with a number of edges failing to show up on its heat-mapping technology. But this is the first suggestion that players are conspiring to cheat the system.

The Snickometer, which currently takes too long to synchronise with video footage and is accordingly not used in DRS, has subsequently proved edges where none had showed up via Hot Spot.

The creator of Hot Spot, Warren Brennan, has already admitted to The Guardian that his system is not perfect, as detailed in Paul Rees' report:

"

Manufacturers' logos, such as metallic reflective stickers, can confuse Hot Spot, which is why the ICC is considering making them part of equipment regulations.

"

But despite the deficiencies of the system, there have been swift denials from the key players involved. Pietersen took to Twitter to swat away suggestions he was cheating: 

"

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..

— Kevin Pietersen (@KP24) August 7, 2013"

"

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..

— Kevin Pietersen (@KP24) August 7, 2013"

While Clarke insisted no member of his team was tampering with their bats in quotes picked up by Fox Sports in Australia:

"

I find the accusation quite funny. 

I can’t talk for everybody but if it is the case we are talking about cheating, I tell you there is not one person in the Australian changerooms who is a cheat.  That’s not the way we play cricket.

"

Players have also been accused of trying to manipulate Hot Spot in the past. In 2011 there were suggestions that players in the England vs. India series tried putting Vaseline on the outside of their bats to confuse the system.

Geoff Allardice, the ICC general manager, is flying in England to discuss the use of technology in the series so far. Besides Hot Spot's limitations, there have been several controversial incidents and poor application of the technology available.

The plan is to reassure each side over DRS, but the Daily Telegraph reports it could yet be reshaped:

"

At the moment the ICC is happy for Hot Spot to remain part of DRS in the Ashes series but Brennan could pull it if he believes it needs remedial work to improve its accuracy.

"