Video: England's Onions rejects cheat claims

England bowler Graham Onions and and Australia’s Steve Smith rejected claims that bats may have been tampered with during the Ashes series to foil ‘hotspot’ infrared cameras.

Graham Onions, England:
“It is a huge accusation. It’s outrageous really. From our point of view, the first time that we have talked about it, obviously, in the changing rooms and obviously the excitement of me getting called up into the squad and seeing the lads again – from missing out at Old Trafford – to be involved in and have these discussion’s it seems a little bit unfair and wrong really. So, i think we can maybe move on a little bit really and try and talk about this Test match. The last Test match was a good one and it was close and I am sure we are going to have another one coming up now.”

Graham Onions, England:
“It seems completely blown out of proportion really. It just doesn’t seem right and I know that England players would never pout anything on their bats. Tape has been used to mend cracks or – people have favourite bats – to try and last as long as possible. It sounds completely silly to even think that people are putting things on their bats to aid, or to try and help them and cover up decisions.”

Steve Smith, Australia:
“Yeah, look – I read it briefly this morning. I haven’t really seen too much about it. Obviously I don’t think any of us have done anything with silicone on our bats. We know that we put fibreglass tape on the front. That’s purely for protection of the bat and to try and make it last longer. a lot of people have their favourite bats and put tape over around them and that is purely to make our favourite bats last as long as they can.