Does Pietersen tactic demand switch in the laws of cricket?

KEVIN Pietersen's switch from right to left-hander is now the subject of earnest discussion by MCC, custodians of the laws of cricket.

Switch-hitting, as it is being called, paid off for Pietersen with two startling sixes off Scott Styris as England beat New Zealand at Chester-le-Street on Sunday.

At stake is the fairness of the exercise and the dilemma for umpires if the batsman misses and is struck on the pad. He cannot be out if the ball pitches outside his leg stump – but which is his leg stump?

The obvious answer if a batsman changes his stance is to treat him as a hybrid and give him out if the ball would have hit the stumps, irrespective of where it pitches.

Not many are able to match Pietersen's brilliance. It is a bit like the early days of the reverse sweep, which involves changing hands rather than feet. Less accomplished practitioners failing in the attempt merely looked dummies.

There are enough fast and hostile bowlers in international cricket to make even Pietersen wary. It can be hard enough achieving contact by orthodox methods.

Innovation in cricket or any other game should not be stifled. If it were, we would still have two stumps and underarm bowling.

Suspicion is usually the next stage but it is also possible to imagine somebody like Australian fast bowler Brett Lee hoping Pietersen tries it against him. That could provoke a call for the stretcher.