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BIRMINGHAM - New Zealand have dared England batsman Kevin Pietersen to have another go at his audacious switch-hit at Edgbaston after it was given the official all-clear by cricket's lawmakers.
After being asked by the International Cricket Council (ICC) to rule on Pietersen's tactic of switching his grip to left-handed during the bowler's approach, the Lord's-based Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) concluded it was "exciting for the game of cricket."
"Indeed, the stroke conforms to the laws of cricket and will not be legislated against," the MCC statement said today.
It means Pietersen, who twice swiped New Zealand allrounder Scott Styris for left-handed sixes during his century on Sunday, is free to continue in tonight's (NZT) second one-day international here.
The statement said the switch-hit may have future implications for other cricketing laws, principally leg before wicket and one-day wides, which would be discussed and reviewed.
New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori had no problem with Pietersen continuing to play the shot, but was intrigued as to when he'd unveil it again.
"It's one of those freakish things and if it happens again it might go straight up in the air. It's a difficult shot so we'd almost encourage it," Vettori said.
Styris said he felt no humiliation being the unwilling recipient, and rejected claims the switch-hit was against the spirit of the game.
"I just take my hat off to him and say `nice shot'. All it's done is make me go back and change and get better and come up with a new tactic," said Styris, who encouraged Pietersen to try again.
"Kevin's got out a few times with the reverse sweep to normal spinners. The shot came off for him because he was well set and he was playing well."
Styris was unsure whether the trend would spread to other teams.
It crossed his mind briefly to attempt the shot on Sunday during New Zealand's run chase, but he thought better of it to avoid a "double-whammy" of embarrassment.
He said Jacob Oram, currently sidelined with a hamstring strain, would be the leading contender from the New Zealand team.
"I know we've had some practice doing it in the centre, Jake Oram turns around and bats right handed and still hits them out of the ground at grounds like the MCG.
"Maybe that's something for him to practice now someone's shown him how."
- NZPA
