Hot Spot Dropped For Ashes Series

Following a number of controversies during the recent Ashes Series in England, it has been announced that the Hot Spot will not be used in this winter’s return series in Australia, after host broadcaster Channel Nine chose to drop the controversial system after concerns over its cost and reliability.

The infrared camera technology, first devised in 2007, is used to detect edges by monitoring heat sensors to determine what, if anything, the ball has made contact with. 

The host broadcaster and the governing body finance the cost of using Hot Spot, which costs $10,000 per day to run according to Cricinfo.

The International Cricket Council said it was a matter for Channel Nine and Cricket Australia to resolve, while it is understood that the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) was not contacted in advance of the decision.

However, the Decision Review System will remain with television umpires now restricted to the use of Eagle Eye ball-tracking software, audio from stump microphones, and slow-motion replays to make a decision. 

The Ashes Series begins on 21st November in Brisbane.