SRI Lanka management have raised fresh concerns Australia's bowlers, including Peter Siddle, were picking at the seam on two occasions as explosive ball-tampering allegations broke out today in the first Test at Blundstone Arena.
Australian paceman Peter Siddle has hit back at claims he tampered with the ball during the first Test against Sri Lanka in Hobart. Source: Getty Images
A PERPLEXED Peter Siddle last night slammed ball-tampering allegations as "ridiculous" after Australia's fast-bowling hero and opener Ed Cowan were embroiled in controversy following persistent complaints from Sri Lankan hierarchy.
Siddle reprised his Adelaide heroics to bowl Australia to victory in the first Test, claiming 4-50 to finish with match figures of 9-104 from 51.3 overs of toil, as Mitchell Starc (5-63) lifted superbly to land a one-two punch.
But Siddle's man-of-the-match performance was overshadowed by explosive allegations of ball-tampering after Sri Lankan management informally raised concerns on Sunday night with ICC match referee Chris Broad.
Shortly after Australia's stirring 137-run victory at Blundstone Arena, it was revealed that Channel 9 footage of Siddle and Cowan had been sent to International Cricket Council headquarters in Dubai.
The ICC released a statement at the end of play claiming that the umpires found no evidence of ball tampering, but Broad has an additional 24 hours to investigate and, if necessary, press charges.
News Limited can reveal an alleged incident involving Siddle is not believed to be serious, however there is deeper concern about Cowan's handling of the ball in Sri Lanka's first innings.
It is understood Broad, acting on information from Sri Lankan hierarchy, spoke to Australian team manager Gavin Dovey on Sunday after the third day's play raising concerns about possible ball tampering.
Australian skipper Michael Clarke and Siddle both expressed dismay at the allegations last night.
"That is a ridiculous statement," Siddle fired. "There's a picture going around on Twitter, but on Twitter you can say what you want and there's no consequences.
"If you took a picture of every time I turn around and run into bowl, it will look exactly like that same picture.
"If you watch a video of it, you would see me turning around the ball and running in, but if you take a snap of a still picture you can make anything look unreal."
Siddle added sarcastically: "I wake up in the morning, I thought today if I ran out there and ball tampered in front of 15 cameras and a lot of people watching the game I will get away with it.
"Why would I want to jeopardise that when I know we can go out there and do everything in the spirit of the game and win?
"I've got no idea if it was about me, my girlfriend alerted me to something that was on Twitter.
"There's nothing to it at all."
Clarke vehemently denied the Australians resorted to ball tampering to beat the Sri Lankans.
"I've only just heard it when I came back into the changeroom that it had been spoken about," he said.
"I heard from the ICC or Chris Broad that there was nothing to it so there was no idea.
"At the end of the day, the ICC have made it very clear there was nothing there.
"I 100 per cent believe we always play in the spirit of the game, I don't think any of the Australian players would ever jeopardise that or do anything to ruin our reputation.
"We play hard on the field but we understand there is a line you can't cross and we play the right way."
Asked if he was aware Australian team management had been approached by Broad on Sunday night, Clarke said: "I'm sure there's lots of staff ... it's a bit like me talking to the umpires on the field about a million things that doesn't go back into the changeroom.
"This is an example of something away from the team, but I can guarantee you as captain I had no idea about it."
Broad claimed the umpires inspected the ball frequently before and after viewing video evidence on Sunday.
"They found no evidence to suggest that the condition of the ball had been changed," Broad said.
"During the tea interval on that day, I spoke with Australia coach Mickey Arthur and told him that the umpires will continue to inspect the cricket ball regularly, and monitor the actions of all players.
"I subsequently informed the Sri Lanka team management of my discussions with the Australia coach.
"In the opinion of the umpires, there was no evidence to suggest that the condition of the ball was changed, or that the video or photographic evidence would support a charge under the Code of Conduct, so they will not be laying any charges relating to these incidents."
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