Hot Spot inventor Warren Brennan "broke his silence on the controversy over batsmen possibly using silicone tape to prevent edges being detected -- and did anything but back down," according to Andy Wilson of the London GUARDIAN. Brennan claimed that "the majority of bats had some form of protective coating … strangely enough, this protective coating would cover only half the edge of the bat" and urged the Int'l Cricket Council to ban all such coatings. The England and Wales Cricket Board "had demanded an explanation and apology from Channel 9 after the Australian broadcaster implied that Kevin Pietersen had used silicone tape on his bat to fool Hot Spot" (GUARDIAN, 8/9). The AFP reported Australia’s Simon Taufel, a former leading int'l umpire, said that "umpires had been conducting about 12 random bat inspections in every Test for three years and not once had silicone tape been uncovered." Brennan's statement said BBG Sport's (Brennan's company) conclusive finding after three days' testing of bats was that "the type and thickness of the protective coating 'unquestionably' affects the thermal signature of the Hot Spot system" (AFP, 8/10). The AP wrote the coatings are, however, "perfectly legal under current regulations" (AP, 8/10).
COACHING THEM UP: The BBC's Sam Sheringham reported former Test umpire John Holder said that TV officials "need extra training in a bid to eradicate the errors that have blighted the Ashes." Holder believes that "third umpires are too reluctant to overturn their on-field colleagues' decisions" and has called on the ICC to act. Holder: "What has happened this summer hasn't been good for the game" (BBC, 8/9).
