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Buchanan's thumbs up for Pietersen's switch-hit
Former Australian coach John Buchanan feels English batsman Kevin Pietersen's 'switch-hit' should not be viewed with prejudice.
- Indo-Asian News Service
- Updated: June 22, 2008 05:30 PM IST
Read Time: 2 min
Sydney:
He added that there are quite a few cricketers all over the world who have the potential to do just the same.
Right-handed Pietersen Sunday twice reversed his grip and position, effectively adopting a left-handed stance, and both times hit New Zealand medium-pacer Scott Styris for six in the first one-dayer.
"It is a logical extension of the reverse sweep," Buchanan was quoted as saying in Sydney Morning Herald.
"The lawmakers have to be mindful of innovation versus convention, potentially what is good and entertaining and what is prejudicial to the game.
"Once it's been done successfully, there are plenty of other strong and powerful and skilled players who can actually do that. He has just set a standard at the moment that no one else has been prepared to try in a game.
Buchanan said others might have been prepared to practise it but Pietersen has actually had the courage to take that risk.
"He (Pietersen) is prepared to be unconventional, and I think that's an important approach," he said.
Unlike other former cricketers, former Australian coach John Buchanan feels English batsman Kevin Pietersen's 'switch-hit' should not be viewed with prejudice.He added that there are quite a few cricketers all over the world who have the potential to do just the same.
Right-handed Pietersen Sunday twice reversed his grip and position, effectively adopting a left-handed stance, and both times hit New Zealand medium-pacer Scott Styris for six in the first one-dayer.
"It is a logical extension of the reverse sweep," Buchanan was quoted as saying in Sydney Morning Herald.
"The lawmakers have to be mindful of innovation versus convention, potentially what is good and entertaining and what is prejudicial to the game.
"Once it's been done successfully, there are plenty of other strong and powerful and skilled players who can actually do that. He has just set a standard at the moment that no one else has been prepared to try in a game.
Buchanan said others might have been prepared to practise it but Pietersen has actually had the courage to take that risk.
"He (Pietersen) is prepared to be unconventional, and I think that's an important approach," he said.
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Cricket
Sreesanth
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