Wednesday, June 18, 2008

MCC gives green signal for switch shots


Will Kevin Pietersen attempt to repeat his remarkable switch-hitting feats of the weekend in today's second NatWest Series match against New Zealand, or will England's finest batsman stick to rather more orthodox methods?
The Marylebone Cricket Club, guardians of the Laws of Cricket, yesterday encouraged Pietersen to continue playing shots as audacious as those at Chester-le-Street on Sunday, when he twice switched from his usual right-handed stance to that of a left-hander and smashed Scott Styris for six.Around 20,000 spectators will arrive at Edgbaston today expecting a repeat performance and, as we all know, Pietersen does like to put on a show. He could, however, deliberately leave them wanting for more. Whatever Pietersen chooses to do, he has the crowd where he wants them, in the palm of his right, or possibly left, hand.