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London: The Decision Review System came under the scanner during the recent Ashes series in the UK following several controversies.
The heat generated by Hot Spot's inconsistency during the series has now resulted in cold water being poured over the technology for the return series Down Under.
Host broadcasters Channel Nine have chosen to ignore Hot Spot and decisions will now be subject to analysis by the 'Eagle Eye' ball-tracker, audio from the stump microphones and slow-motion replays in case of a review.
Warren Brennan, the inventor of Hot Spot confirmed the development, saying the decision had been finalised as far as the use of technology was concerned. "It's their decision and that's what has been communicated to us.
As far as I'm concerned, it is final, "Brennan told the Sydney Morning Herald newspaper.
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.
I gather there had to be some restructuring of costs." The costs of installing Hot Spot is around $10,000 a day for a four-camera system installed, which uses infra-red imaging to determine contact between the ball, bat or pad, which means the cost for an entire Ashes series could be to the tune of $250,000. While the cost was a major determinant, the poor performance of the technology was also a factor.
Hot Spot came under criticism during the Ashes series for various reasons, including the silicon-tape controversy. Before the fourth Test in Durham, a Channel Nine report alleged that a few England batsmen used silicon tape on the edge of their bats to evade Hot Spot.
Brennan conceded that these issues were a factor in Nine's decision to axe Hot Spot, and reiterated his claim of bat coatings hampering the effectiveness of the system. "The point that I was trying to make was that it does significantly affect us," he said. "The testing that we've done, and I haven't released that testing yet, is that when the coatings are on, it does affect the Hot Spot signature."
Brennan expressed his disappointment at Cricket Australia's refusal to intervene or to subsidize the cost of the technology.
