From The Times (http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/cricket/article4149929.ece) website:

ICC has asked MCC to make a ruling on whether Pietersen's "slog-sweep" shot is a breach of the spirit of the game. For those who haven't seen it, basically he stands ready to play right-handed, then as the ball is delivered he jumps round and plays a left-handed sweep.

My cricketing career came to an end in middle-school, but I remember trying to do something akin to this in rounders. The fielding side had almost everybody on my right, so I jumped round to play the shot to the other side of the field. The teacher called a halt, give me a rollicking and told all the fielders to move over to the other side, so I went back to trying to play left-handed, and he sent me off the field. (Like that was a punishment - I hated school sports :D )

Are there any sensible grounds for this argument? Is it unfair to the bowler that the batsman might decide to switch round and play the ball with his opposite hand?

Unfair - Yes, Should it be banned - No.

If this is banned, which I actually fear it will be, then you've got to question why a bowler is allowed to change his delivery every time he wishes e.g. yorker or slower ball. If the batsman isn't allowed to change his stance then should he be allowed to march down the pitch and slog it back over the bowler.

Similarly should a bowler then have to inform the umpire what ball he is going to bowl everytime, and should he change it the batsman then couldn't be out etc.

I'm being fairly ridiculous there, but you get the idea. It's a fantastic shot and very few players are going to have the nerve to do it, and the skill to carry it out. If he'd missed everyone would be criticising him and talk of it being banned wouldn't be on the agenda.

Michael Holding makes good points in commentary whenever a similar shot is played and has done strongly since at least the last WC. His argument is that if the grip is swapped over to a left handed grip why cant a bowler change the hand he bowls with or the side of the stumps he bowls from without informing the umpires/batsmen beforehand.

I agree with Gaz in that it is slightly unfair on the bowler but as is commonly said, it's a batsman's game these days, and I for one cant see the lawmakers outlawing something as innovative especially with the explosion of the 20/20 game taking place.

His argument is that if the grip is swapped over to a left handed grip why cant a bowler change the hand he bowls with or the side of the stumps he bowls from without informing the umpires/batsmen beforehand.
The side of the stumps he bowls from is actually too complicated to change without informing the umpire. For one there's a (sometimes great big hulking) batsman in the way and also the umpire does have to know which side to look at so he can judge if the bowlers foot has crossed the crease line etc. I can't see that ever being allowed.

Leaving the banning issue aside - there aren't that many batsman in the world who can hit a six using their "wrong" hand grip

The side of the stumps he bowls from is actually too complicated to change without informing the umpire. For one there's a (sometimes great big hulking) batsman in the way and also the umpire does have to know which side to look at so he can judge if the bowlers foot has crossed the crease line etc. I can't see that ever being allowed.

Yeh its not the kinda thing that's gonna be allowed or tried any time soon, his point is that if the bowler wanted to change they have to inform the umpire and batsman. It could be done easily enough by a spinner though, you just have the umpire take a step back so you can come inbetween him and the stumps to bowl around the wicket if bowling right-handed.

Interesting views of the MCC

risky shot for a batsman to try and play, "it also offers bowlers a good chance of taking a wicket

full story

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cricket/england/7456149.stm

sharpend's quote is spot on.

Further, if the batsman gets bowled out trying the reverse sweep, he looks a right plonker.

It's entertaining; keep it, I say.

Sorry I can't claim that - its from the MCC press release statement...

But i think we both agree that its right

Can't see many Pietersen wannabee's down the local club match.

Can't see many Pietersen wannabee's down the local club match.


I can see a lot of them trying it once, falling on their arse, getting clean bowled, and not trying it again :hihi:

I can see a lot of them trying it once, falling on their arse, getting clean bowled, and not trying it again :hihi:

Yes - that's even if they can actually pick the bat up "wrong handed" let alone swap in a split second.

Like Ronnie O Sullivan - it must have taken hours of practice