The gum was found after an attempted run-out in a division one match between Woodford and West Warrnambool in November.

A wicketkeeper failed to whip off the bails cleanly, and upon further inspection, gum was found attached to the wood.

All parties - Woodford, West Warrnambool and umpire Bill Masterson - denied involvement.

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Warrnambool and District Cricket Association chairman Gordon McLeod, who led a three-person investigation into the incident, said the findings were inconclusive.

He said, however, the association were in the process of changing guidelines to prevent a repeat of the incident.

"Umpires will in future need to sign off on all match equipment and check it prior to the match," McLeod said.

"We don't want a repeat of the incident."

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