Image courtesy of: Times of India
Both Clarke and Pietersen have denied allegations that batsmen have been using silicon tape on the edges of their bats
Australia captain Michael Clarke has announced that his side have not tried to cheat the Decision Review System (DRS) in the ongoing Ashes series in any way whatsoever after allegations emerged that batsmen from both Australia and England had started taping the edges of their bats to fool the cameras.
Clarke’s comments come after Channel Nine stated that both parties had used silicon tape to trick the Hot Spot technology.
“I find the accusation quite funny,” Clarke said. “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 change rooms who is a cheat.
“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’. 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.”
Clarke also explained that many batsmen nowadays use different kinds of coatings on their bats in order to protect them and ensure they last for a longer period of time.
“I’ve used fibreglass facing on my bats since I got my first bat from Slazenger when I was 12,” Clarke said. “My dad made me put a face on the bat to protect the bat and make it last longer.
“Because of the way modern bats are pressed and are a bit soft, you put a cover on it to protect the bat and make it last longer. It is fibreglass and other stuff. A lot of players have used that since I’ve been playing cricket.”
Channel Nine also reported that England batsman Kevin Pietersen clearly edged a delivery, but upon further review, there was no visible mark on his bat.
Pietersen slammed Channel Nine for their comments, branding it as “horrible journalism” and “hurtful lies”.
“I am never afraid of getting out,” Pietersen said via Twitter. “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 & hide a nick when it could save me on an LBW appeal, like in 1st innings where hotspot showed I nicked it.”
England fast bowler Graham Onions also denied the allegations, stating that it was “outrageous” to think that any player would actually try to outsmart the DRS.
“It’s a huge accusation and it’s outrageous really,” Onions said. “It just doesn’t sound right and I know it’s not right.
“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 think it’s obviously a little bit unfair (that Pietersen’s name is involved). With what’s happened in the last Test match, it involved him. The situation in which we find ourselves is that his name has been named. I’ve not spoken to him but he’s obviously going to be a little bit hurt by that. He’s a very fair guy and that accusation is wrong.”