Hot Spot "has been axed for this summer's Ashes series," according to Chris Barrett of the SYDNEY MORNING HERALD. Six weeks out from the first Test against England in Brisbane, "it has emerged the controversial infrared camera technology has been sidelined by the series' broadcaster Channel Nine." Hot Spot's Australian inventor Warren Brennan confirmed on Wednesday that the decision-review device, "which uses heat readings to analyse whether there has been contact between the ball and the bat and pads, would not feature in the showpiece five-Test series." Brennan said, "It's their decision and that's what's been communicated to us. As far as I'm concerned, it is final. We're just moving on with things. Channel Nine have got a new deal with Cricket Australia which I know has cost them a lot more money." The development leaves the ball-tracking component, Eagle Eye, audio evidence picked up by stump microphones and slow-motion replays "as the remaining tools at the disposal of the third official in the Ashes." The cost of Hot Spot -- the company charges A$10,000 ($9,400) a day for the four-camera system Nine has used, which totals $250,000 for the Test series -- "is a key reason behind the broadcaster cutting ties but its poor performance in England is also understood to be a factor." Brennan, however, "was not upset with Nine, which initially introduced Hot Spot as an entertainment product before it was added to the DRS, but directed his ire at CA for refusing to provide financial support." Brennan: "I don't have a beef with Channel Nine. The disappointing thing for us is that Cricket Australia didn't engage at all with us to try and come on board and help with this situation. They just said, 'No, it's got nothing to do with us. It's Channel Nine's responsibility'" (SMH, 10/10).
