sport

MCC To Review KP's Shot

KP plays the shot that is making headlines.

Kevin Pietersen's improvised switch-hitting will be discussed by the MCC on Tuesday to determine the legality of his innovations against New Zealand on Sunday.

The Hampshire batsman twice stunned the Chester-le-Street crowd in the opening match of the NatWest Series by launching sixes off Scott Styris after changing from his normal right-handed stance into a left-hander to take advantage of gaps in the field placings.

While he has been applauded since for his ability to hit such an improvised shot well enough to clear the ropes, cricket traditionalists have questioned whether it is legal or within the spirit of the game.

They argue it is unfair on the bowler, who has to inform the batsman with which arm he is about to bowl, and the fielding captain who sets his field dependent on whether the batsman is right or left-handed.

Those concerns have prompted the International Cricket Council, the world's governing body, to ask the MCC as the guardians of cricket's laws to discuss the issue at the Laws Committee meeting at Lord's.

The item has been hastily added to the agenda having already been discussed last month at the meeting of the ICC Cricket Committee in May, who had been alerted by Pietersen's first attempt at the shot during the 2006 Edgbaston Test against Sri Lanka.

"There was no consensus on the issue for very clear reasons - there is one view that it is unfair," explained an ICC spokesman.

"Another reason is that it is great entertainment and extremely skilful and why should we stifle flair in the game especially as only a few players seem capable of doing it.

"And yet another that it would be tough for umpires to rule on it while, at the same time, focusing on the ball."

While the authorities clearly have their reservations about Pietersen's methods, the players are firmly behind him with England team-mate Owais Shah enthusing: "It was a wonderful innings by Kev to get the right balance between orthodox and very unorthodox.

"There were some unbelievable shots, but he's just a freak. I'll leave that all to him because I don't know if I could do that - I just try to play with a straight bat."

Former Warwickshire and England all-rounder Dermot Reeve, who was known for his own improvisation of the reverse sweep, also welcomed Pietersen's skill.

"Of course it's fair, absolutely," Reeve told BBC Sport.

"As a batsman if you're standing there batting, if you've got your right hand at the bottom of the handle and your left hand at the top and you want to swap them around then that's your choice."

New Zealand batsman Daniel Flynn was also amazed by Pietersen's innovations but believes it should be welcomed rather than have debates about its legality.

"If you're good enough to play it I think you should be allowed to go for it," said left-hander Flynn.

"I don't see why he should be restricted in playing it so fair play to him. I've tried hitting right-handed shots myself but I can't hit them as well as that.

"I'm left-handed in nearly everything I do - golf, cricket everything except kicking a ball - so I can appreciate how good a shot that was.

"You have to give him credit because it was a great shot and he's obviously worked on it and it came off for him. On another day it could go straight up in the air but he managed to get it right in the middle on both occasions."

Flynn also revealed how New Zealand are already attempted to emulate Pietersen's antics, although he confessed it may be some time before they attempt it in a match situation.

"The way cricket is going, improvisation is going to be the key and if you're capable of doing it, it's going to make it hard for the opposition to set fields to you and bowl to you," he added.

"I think all our guys are working on it. I think it's one of those things you have to really work on at practice and once you've built your confidence up enough you can bring it into the game.

"I'm not sure the guys are quite up to it just yet, but I'm sure some of them will get there."