Were batsmen using silicon tape to fool Hot Spot during Ashes?

In a major development, players in the current Ashes are doubted to have been cheating the Hot Spot technology, which is a crucial part of the Decision Review System (DRS) by using a silicon-based tape on their bats.

According to news.com.au, concern centres around the Kevin Pietersen dismissal in the second innings in Manchester, when the umpire gave the English batsman out after a noise was clearly heard and later

Pietersen appealed the decision on review, and was given out, even though nothing showed up on Hot Spot.

Australian batsmen may also be using this method although it is not known yet whether English or Australian players are allegedly involved, the report said.

The Hot Spot technology used under the DRS is an infrared imaging system, which is used to tell whether a batsman has hit a ball and using grainy black and white footage, Hot Spot clearly shows a bright white patch where friction has occurred, the report added.

The system has been notoriously unreliable throughout this Ashes series and now we may know why, the report further said.