ENGLAND batsman Kevin Pietersen has angrily denied claims by an Australian broadcaster that he has been cheating in the Ashes series. Channel Nine alleges that Pietersen is one of several players to have taped silicone to his bat in order to avoid 'edges' being detected by Hot Spot. Pietersen was the only batsman named by the broadcaster who cited his dismissal in the second innings of the third Test at Old Trafford as evidence to support its allegations. Pietersen was caught behind for eight. He reviewed the decision and appeared to have right on his side when the Hot Spot technology failed to detect an edge. However, his dismissal was upheld by television umpire Kumar Dharmasena, who heard a noise while watching the TV replay. Channel Nine's suggestion is that by covering his bat with a layer of silicone, Pietersen prevented Hot Spot detecting the truth. As BBC Sport explains, "Hot Spot works by detecting friction caused whenever the ball hits a bat or pad. The energy transfer produces heat, which is revealed by infra-red cameras". Covering the bat with a layer of silicone would prevent the nick being detected by Hot Spot. Pietersen responded to the allegations with a series of irritated tweets. "Horrible journalism yet again!" he said. "My name brought up in hotspot crisis suggesting I use silicon to prevent nicks showing! Such hurtful lies" He followed that with: "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..." Pietersen's dismissal at Old Trafford wasn't the only controversial incident of the third Test. Australia's Usman Khawaja was given out caught behind off spinner Graeme Swann by on-field umpire Tony Hill even though Hot Spot failed to find a mark on his bat. There is no suggestion Khawaja cheated. According to the BBC, the inventor of Hot Spot, Warren Brennan, has agreed with the International Cricket Council that neither he nor anyone from his company will comment until after the ICC has conducted an investigation. ICC general manager Geoff Allardice has flown to England in the build-up to the start of the fourth Test on Friday "to address wider concerns over the use of the Decision Review System". One of Pietersen's England team-mates, bowler Graham Onions, said of the allegations: "It is a huge accusation. It is outrageous really… It sounds completely silly to even think people are putting things on their bats to try and aid or cover up decisions." The reaction from the Australian camp was similarly scathing with captain Michael Clarke saying: "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 changing room who is a cheat. That's not the way we play cricket." Meanwhile England captain turned BBC pundit Michael Vaughan summed up the feelings of most cricket fans when he tweeted: "Silicone tape my arse...absolute nonsense... Hotspot looking for any excuse." Source: The Week UK
