Nelson's Column: It's not cricket

Is KP out of order or one of cricket's great innovators? That's the question which is dividing the glorious game as the MCC's top brass meet to discuss Kevin Pietersen's 'switch-hitting' that helped England to thrash New Zealand in the first ODI.

The guardians of the laws of cricket are considering the legality of Pietersen's ability to switch his grip and stance which essentially enables him to turn from a right to a left-hand batsman as the bowler approaches the crease.

Not surprisingly, Pietersen has dismissed criticism of his improvisation as "ridiculous". And his supporters argue that cricket needs great entertainers who shouldn't be hamstrung by petty laws and and out-of-date conventions.

But like many things in cricket, the issue is much more complex than it first appears. For a start, unlike the bowler, a batsman doesn't have to notify the umpires and opposition if he opts to reverse his batting style.

And the switch shot raises serious questions for umpires about the lbw and leg-side no-ball/wide laws. At present virtually any delivery which goes down the leg-side in one-day cricket is called a wide, but there's a potential conflict about identifying one if batsmen reverse their stance as the ball is bowled.

Michael Atherton rightly believes that a change in the laws is required to ban the switch-hit in order to maintain the delicate balance between bowler and batsman. Without such a change, the art of bowling to a well-set field will be all but lost, sacrificed on the altar of sporting showbiz.

And what's to stop a bowler checking his run-up if he thinks a batsman is about to change his stance? You can imagine the scene: four needed off the last ball and millions of pounds at stake on the outcome. The batsman shimmies and the bowler stops in mid-action to readjust his field.

Back he goes to his mark and the same thing happens again - and again. Great showbiz maybe, but not cricket.

What do you think? Should KP's switch-hitting be outlawed? Or is he the best thing that's happened to English cricket in recent years? Have your say via the boxes below.

Comments

[steve]

Don`t know what all the fuss is about, he is not breaking any of the laws or undermining the spirit of the game.His stance is determined when the bowler starts his run up. However, I just hope that it stays a limited over stroke, as he & others will look pretty foolish in the test arena, when it goes wrong.

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[kp]

Actually guys, there is nothing wrong with me doing this; it is just innovation. If anoyone disagrees then they are old fashioned and perhaps slightly boring

[tony adams]

the action was against the laws of cricket as it is both unfair on the fielding side and impossible for the umpire to give any decision on lbw or wide.it is a similar situation to a fielder sprinting from deep mid wicket to square leg as the bowler is running in to bowl.the batsman expects the the fielders will play fair and the bowler should be given the same curtesey

[Bill, Dagenham]

I agree it's an impressive shot and I'm all for it staying in the game. However "KP" as a man angers me; arrogant, selfish, focussed on his own average, his own wallet and his celebrity status. What happens when he plays this type of shot gets out and potentially hands the game to the other team. Great when it works, but I wouldn't like to see him play it all the time to boost his own public image, which seems to be number one on his priority list.

[gazza]

surely switch hitting is similar to a spinner bowling a delivery that does not spin and goes straight on, the batsmen cannot prepare for this, just like the bowler when bowling to KP??

[Muralidaran Ramesh Somasunderam]

Dear Sir,
I believe it is unfortunate that One Day cricket has created many unorthodox stokes, and players. But, Mr Pietersen has always been an unorthodox player, who is an entertainer, and a very fine player. His attitude and approach in relation to the game of cricket is like Sir Vivian Richards, who believes in dominating the bowling, and entertaining the patrons, including television viewers. I thank Mr Pieterson very much for it. But I hope the correct orthodox players, such as Sir Leonard Hutton, and Sir Jack Hobbs are not totally forgotten, because cricket requires players of different approaches, and methods.
Yours Faithfully,
M. R. Somasunderam.

[George]

I have seen english batsman from Botham to Pietersen get out attempting that stupid shot 'reverse swing'. Now that Pietersen has managed the impossible by hitting a six (what odds would you have got on that)? Don't now after 20 odd years say it's cheating. It fantastic - it a new thing that makes cricket exciting (well to those of us that have been watching for along time).

Twenty20, new exciting shots, one day cricket, 5 day cricket it's all there to serve it's purpose - I like all combinations but with 3 options we should get new supporters and new financial support into the game.

Don't put cricket down just because it's started to become exciting.

Remember the days where Rugby Union/League could not mix? Get upto date move into 2008 -Twenty20 could take on football for a slot on Sky whereas 5 day can't. 5 day has it's place - but not mainsteam and not for the employed apart from the TV highlights.

New ideas - celebrate, embrace, enjoy stop moaning!!

[bert]

I reckon KP should be allowed to do it during one dayers, but perhaps not during Tests. I can't see the fuss though, surely if a batsman wants to change grip, there's a higher chance he'll mess it up and then get himself out? I can't see the problem myself, reckon it's bloody impressive!

What about Ronnie "the Rocket" O'Sullivan who can play both left and right handed? Snooker made him prove he could, he did so they let him play that way. Maybe the same should be asked of players like KP who can play either left or right handed.

[cricket cretin]

I think cricket needs entertainers like K P and that to ban the switch hitting batting style would be to the detriment of his game and English cricket