MCC says it was within the Laws

SLC secretary says Gilchrist's squash ball 'unethical'

Cricinfo staff

May 8, 2007

Sri Lanka aren't happy with Adam Gilchrist's use of the squash ball during the World Cup final © Getty Images

"We are of the opinion that it was unethical for Gilchrist to use a squash ball to give unfair advantage," Mathivanan told AFP. He said Sri Lanka could call on the ICC's cricket committee for stringent application of Law 42 on fair and unfair play to ensure only the approved protection equipment was used. He said that SLC would discuss the issue before deciding whether to raise it in London.

The MCC who are the guardians of the Laws, said that Gilchrist had not done anything wrong. "Gilchrist's use of a squash ball was designed to alter his grip on the bat whilst at the crease," a spokesman said, "something which he was perfectly entitled to do under Law 3.6(c), which specifies only what external protective equipment is permitted for certain players."

The Laws sub-committee said: "The incident could not be classed either as contravening the Law or as breaching the Spirit of the Game."

Gilchrist scored a match-winning 149 against Sri Lanka in the final and later revealed his batting aid. "I had a squash ball in my bottom-hand to help with my grip in training and I decided in this World Cup to use it in a match."

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