After executing two breathtaking reverse-sweep sixes during his match-winning unbeaten 110 against New Zealand in the first one-dayer in Chester-le-Street, Kevin Pietersen has strongly rejected the notion that such innovative strokes should be outlawed in cricket.
Pietersen took on Scott Styris on both occasions, switching his grip to that of a left-hander and pre-meditating the stroke even before the ball was delivered.
The first, in the 39th over, landed over deep backward point and the second, in the 43rd, was deposited over long-off.
Though the reverse-sweep has been in existence for decades now, Pietersen has taken it to greater heights, after first unveiling the reverse-sweep six in 2006, off Muttiah Muralitharan in a Test at Edgbaston.
- B/R Ticket Guide
Pietersen's strokes were different from the conventional reverse-sweep because he changed his grip before the bowler delivered, effectively making him a left-handed batsman.
Since a bowler isn't allowed to change his bowling hand without informing the umpire, some have suggested that the same should apply to the batsmen. Pietersen however disagreed and urged everyone to embrace innovation positively.
"That's ridiculous," Pietersen said after England's comprehensive 114-run win. "Absolutely stupid. The reverse-sweep has been part of the game for however long. I am just fortunate that I am able to hit it a bit further."
"Everybody wants brand new ideas, new inventions and new shots. That is a new shot played today and people should be saying it's a new way to go. There are new things happening for cricket at the moment and people shouldn't be criticising it all the time."
SHOULD THEY BE DECLARED ILLEGAL? WHAT CAN THE ICC DO? WHAT'S WRONG WITH THEM? I THINK THE BATSMAN SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO PLAY ANY SHOT THEY LIKE. DO YOU AGREE?
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6 months ago
I think the fact that Kevin Petersen managed to pull off both shots clouds the issue somewhat. Lets imagine for a moment that KP hadn't hit both deliveries for six and had in fact gotten out. He wouldn't have looked like a batting genius and rather more like an arrogant chancer. Lets imagine that Brett Lee was bowling at the time and apon seeing KP reversing his stance, banged it in short and knocked his head off. Should Brett Lee be prevented from reacting to the batsman's actions? of course not. Would faster and more skilled (with all due respect to Mr. Styris) bowlers be able to better deal with such tactics? I think so.
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