Pietersen denies trying to cheat contentious DRS
ENGLAND batsman Kevin Pietersen has angrily denied using silicon tape on his bat to prevent Hot Spot detecting contact with the ball in order to gain an advantage from the Decision Review System.
Reports in the Australian media alleged both England and the tourists are under investigation by the International Cricket Council following several controversial DRS decisions during the ongoing Ashes series, though that has since been denied by the governing body.
And Pietersen took to Twitter to voice his upset at the allegations.
“I am never afraid of getting out! If I nick it, I’ll walk,” he said. “To suggest I cheat by covering my bat with silicon infuriates me.”
Pietersen was given out caught behind during the recent drawn Old Trafford Test.
The South Africa-born batsman called for a review where the Hot Spot technology, which uses an infrared camera to detect friction caused by bat on ball, failed to show an edge but TV picked up a sound as the ball passed the bat and Pietersen was ordered to walk.
Pietersen also questioned the wisdom of attempting to conceal an edge which could preserve his wicket in the event of an lbw appeal.
“How stupid would I be to try and hide a nick when it could save me on an lbw appeal,” he added. “Like in the first innings (at Old Trafford) where Hot Spot showed I nicked it?”