Hot Spot will not be used in this winter's Ashes
series in Australia, says the inventor of the
infrared camera technology used to detect edges.
Host broadcaster Channel Nine chose to drop the
controversial system after concerns over its cost and
reliability.
"It's their decision and that's what has been
communicated to us," Warren Brennan told the Sydney
Morning Herald.
The International Cricket Council said it was a matter
for Channel Nine and Cricket Australia to resolve.
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is aware of
the reports and is considering its response. The
governing body was not contacted in advance of the
decision.
England coach Andy Flower and captain Alastair Cook
have consistently backed the use of technology in the
decision review system (DRS) and expressed a desire to
improve it, rather than dispense of any of its
components.
The absence of Hot Spot means television umpires will
be restricted to using Eagle Eye ball-tracking software,
audio from stump microphones, and slow-motion
replays when England or Australia review an umpire's
decision during the Ashes, which begins on 21
November in Brisbane.
Hot Spot was devised in 2007 by BBG Sports and works
using heat sensors and infrared cameras to determine
what the ball has made contact with.
But it came under scrutiny during England's 3-0 Ashes
victory over the summer when several faint edges
appeared to go undetected, with Brennan claiming that
the protective tape on players' bats was diminishing the
effectiveness of his system.
The host broadcaster and the governing body finance
the cost of using Hot Spot, which is $10,000 per day
according to Cricinfo.
"As far as I'm concerned, the decision is final," Brennan
added. "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 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'.
"Cricket Australia is the only body that doesn't
contribute to our costs for the DRS components. New
Zealand contribute directly to us, the ECB [England &
Wales Cricket Board] contribute and also South Africa.
"My only beef is with Cricket Australia because we tried
to engage with them several weeks ago and they
refused.
"We need to continue to invest and improve the
product so that everybody thinks it's getting better. If
bodies like Cricket Australia won't come on board and
contribute to that, there's not really any point in us
continuing.''
A Cricket Australia spokesman was quoted as saying:
"We don't think it's appropriate to comment on
discussions between Nine and one of its partners."
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