Gilchrist's squash ball was "unethical", says SLC secretary

Gilchrist's squash ball was "unethical", says SLC secretary

May 7, 2007

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

Kangadaran Mathivanan, the Sri Lanka Cricket secretary, has said that Sri Lanka believe Adam Gilchrist's use of a squash ball in his left glove during the World Cup final was "unethical" and may take up the matter at the ICC annual general meeting in June.

"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, told Cricinfo that the official view is that the action was legal "It is no different to wearing inners, etc," Jon Stephenson, said.

Gilchrist scored a matchwinning 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."