Pietersen is one of a clutch of players involved in this summer’s Ashes moved to dismiss the Channel Nine suggestion that a new practice could be rife, designed to defeat the thermal-imaging technology which demonstrates bat-on-ball contact.

England seamer Graham Onions referred to the suggestion as “outrageous”, and the International Cricket Council had to issue a denial that it plans to launch in inquiry into the allegations of “cheating”.

It later emerged from an ECB source that its legal team is to contact Channel Nine. A succession of decision review system (DRS) controversies has beset the Ashes series, in which England retained the urn two days ago via a 2-0 lead after the third Test at Emirates Old Trafford.

Pietersen, one of several players to have been affected by DRS incidents this summer, was given out caught-behind on the final day in Manchester even though Hot Spot indicated he had not hit the ball.